Land is most essential to the production of crops and the development of agriculture. Since Taiwan is a mountainous island, the arable land is limited. To expand arable land and increase agricultural production, the Republic of China government has encouraged farmers to open up new areas and make use of marginal lands. Under a long-term research program, the acreage of the arable lands has increased. Besides the slope lands in the mountain regions and the lands by the riverside, the coastal sandy lands also have been developed to become an important resource. Near the western coast of Taiwan, there are more than 10,000 hectares (24,710 acres) of sandy lands which can be cultivated. The Taiwan Sugar Corporation has successfully developed over 1,000 hectares.
Under the project of the Taiwan Sugar Corporation, the farming of coastal sandy land is operated in a chain process--developing agriculture, raising livestock and developing fishery at the same time. It begins with raising livestock, from which wastes produce fertilizers for paddy fields and pasture and food for fish. The livestock can graze on the pasture. At present, the crops planted in the farming areas include rice, barley and forage. The preliminary result of growing cotton and sugarcane appears to be satisfactory. Among marine products are fish and shrimps. Hogs, cattle and sheep are raised in livestock production. The conditions of their propagation are excellent. The development of the coastal sandy land has brought many economic benefits. Through cooperation and hard-work, it has improved the environment and given greater faith and hope for future developments.
Coastal sandy land as the tide ebbs
Experiment planting of wheat
Water gate on the sea dike
Water spraying system at a fish pond
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