As a result of global climate change almost no typhoons have made landfall in Taiwan over the past 3 years, and there has been no rainfall above heavy rain in the south for more than 560 days. The accumulated rainfall in the Chiayi-Tainan area this year (2023) is 40% of the average for the same period in past years.
Currently, the water storage rate at Zengwen-Wushantou reservoir is 26%, and the water supply situation is quite severe. For this reason, the Irrigation Agency drafted the "2023-Year Spring Miscellaneous Crops Drought Resistant Irrigation Plan in the Chiayi-Tainan Area," which plans to use multiple water sources to complete spring miscellaneous crop irrigation. On February 26, Council of Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-Chung visited Tainan to inspect the site's drought-resistant irrigation and preparations, and expressed his appreciation to frontline workers for their hard work.
The government encourages farmers to plant miscellaneous crops and there are many types in the Jianan area, including corn, sorghum, edamame, pasture grass, flax, and various melons and fruit. It is the main miscellaneous crop production area in Taiwan. In response to the insufficient water storage situation at Zengwen-Wushantou reservoir the Irrigation Agency plans to use multiple water sources such as ponds, streams, district drainage, public and private wells etc., together with the minimum water supply at Wushantou reservoir to complete spring miscellaneous crop irrigation operations, so as to stabilize the production of miscellaneous crops and ensure the livelihood of farmers, while also taking into account the security of regional water use.
The Chiayi-Tainan Management Office of the Irrigation Agency further explained that drought-resistant irrigation for miscellaneous crops in spring this year will be implemented by the South Trunk Line System (including 3 sub-offices including Xinhua, Jiali, and Madou) starting from 3/1 and continuing on 3/9 with the North Trunk Line System (including the three sub-offices of Xinying, Chiayi, and Puzi). The Irrigation Agency calls on farmers to cooperate with the Chiayi-Tainan Management Office when drawing water during district irrigation to improve irrigation efficiency. Do not take water privately as that will impact the overall efficacy of irrigation operations.
Finally, the Irrigation Agency indicated that all preparations for drought-resistant irrigation for spring miscellaneous cropping have been completed. Colleagues in the Chiayi-Tainan Management Office of the Irrigation Agency will work together with irrigation team leaders, squad leaders, canal controllers and farmers in the Chiayi-Tainan area to complete this project, overcoming the difficulties caused by the water shortage and enabling the smooth production of spring miscellaneous crops.