I. Program Background
Farmland consolidation areas are important food production bases nationwide. In the past, due to funding constraints, efforts to rehabilitate and improve agricultural roads and waterways within farmland consolidation areas, as well as to carry out consolidation of high-quality farmland, relied on annual budget allocations that were sufficient only to maintain basic irrigation functions. In recent years, frequent agricultural losses caused by climate change-induced natural disasters have had significant impacts on consumer prices and the broader socio-economic environment. At the same time, local communities have reported a large number of agricultural roads and waterways in urgent need of improvement and have strongly called for accelerated implementation. This highlights the importance of strengthening agricultural infrastructure, and the urgent need to enhance the resilience of the agricultural production environment.
In response to strong demand from farmers and local governments for improvements to infrastructure in farmland consolidation areas, continued requests have been made for increased central government funding support. At a consultation meeting of the Executive Yuan held on May 9, 2023, it was directed that, with reference to the construction cost index and actual needs, the per-hectare subsidy for the renewal and improvement of agricultural roads and waterways in early-stage farmland consolidation areas be reviewed and adjusted. Where necessary, the “Medium-Term Program for Strengthening Irrigation and Farmland Water Infrastructure” should be revised and submitted to the Executive Yuan for approval. The eligibility timeframe for improvement has been prioritized for areas consolidated prior to the implementation of the Farmland Readjustment Act, that is, before 1980, and may be gradually extended to areas consolidated before 1986, subject to implementation progress.
The Ministry of Agriculture submitted a formal proposal to the Executive Yuan on June 28, 2023, recommending a relaxation of the eligibility timeframe and subsidy levels for the renewal and improvement of agricultural roads and waterways in early-stage farmland consolidation areas. In a reply dated October 17, 2023, issued by the Secretary-General of the Executive Yuan under Ref. No. 1121031570, the proposal was approved. The reply further instructed that a comprehensive review be conducted to integrate, starting from 2025, the following related programs into a single consolidated program: improvement of agricultural roads and waterways in early-stage farmland consolidation areas, agricultural roads and waterways in newly established farmland consolidation areas, and emergency agricultural roads and waterways.
Accordingly, the Irrigation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, formulated the “Farmland Consolidation Area Infrastructure Upgrade Program for Fiscal Years 2025 to 2028”. This program integrates and advances systematic improvements to early-stage farmland consolidation areas, comprehensive upgrades of agricultural roads and waterways within farmland consolidation areas, and consolidation of high-quality farmland.
II. Program Content
1. Comprehensive renewal and improvement of agricultural roads and waterways in early-stage farmland consolidation areas
Agricultural roads will be widened and parallel waterways improved to meet current irrigation, drainage, and access needs in agricultural production areas, thereby establishing sound agricultural production infrastructure.
2. Graded improvement of agricultural roads and waterways in farmland consolidation areas
Improvement works will be carried out for agricultural roads in farmland consolidation areas where roadbeds and retaining walls are damaged, asphalt concrete paving has not yet been completed, or access for cold-chain logistics is required. Improvements will also be undertaken for irrigation and drainage channels with severe leakage, poor drainage conditions, or bottleneck sections affecting irrigation and drainage performance.
3. Consolidation of high-quality farmland
Through farmland re-planning and reorganization and the reconfiguration of agricultural roads and waterways, each land parcel after consolidation will be adjacent to agricultural roads and irrigation and drainage channels, with well-developed agricultural facilities, thereby achieving the objective of upgrading agricultural infrastructure. Implementing agencies include local governments and the regional management offices of the Irrigation Agency.
III. Implementing Agencies
The implementing agencies for this program include the Irrigation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture and its regional management offices, as well as special municipalities and county and city governments.
IV. Implementation Period
From 2025 to 2028.
V. Budget Requirements
NT$7.8 billion.
VI. Cost-Benefit Analysis of Alternative Options
1. In accordance with the Agricultural Development Act, the Irrigation Act, and the Farmland Readjustment Act, this program is a continuously promoted agricultural development initiative grounded in the principles of supporting farmers and strengthening the agricultural production environment and infrastructure. Beneficiaries include farmers and nearby residents in key agricultural production areas nationwide. With government subsidies used to improve infrastructure in agricultural production areas, this program has been well received by farmers. There are no other alternative options under consideration, and continued implementation is necessary.
2. This program focuses on the improvement of agricultural infrastructure and represents a necessary government investment in public construction. No alternative options are available.
VII. Funding Sources
The total budget for this program is NT$7.8 billion, to be funded by the central government’s public construction budget. Required matching funds from local governments will be raised by the respective local governments.