{"result":true,"data":[{"articleSubject":"Major policies of the Ministry of Agriculture","context":"","postDeptName":"輔導室","postDate":"2022-06-29T14:52:05.803","linkUrl":"https://eng.moa.gov.tw/ws.php?id=2505385"},{"articleSubject":"Important policies of the Executive Yuan","context":"","postDeptName":"輔導室","postDate":"2022-09-09T13:33:16.49","linkUrl":"https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/A19632D1DB6324A5"},{"articleSubject":"Farmland Consolidation Area Infrastructure Upgrade Program","context":"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. ","postDeptName":"農田水利署","postDate":"2025-09-05T10:00:58.62","linkUrl":null},{"articleSubject":"Cross-Sector Integration and Collaboration for Sustainable Irrigation Program","context":"I. Program Background Due to Taiwan’s terrain, its rivers are generally characterized by steep gradients and rapid flows. As an island with a monsoon climate, rainfall is unevenly distributed across time and space. In recent years, extreme weather events driven by climate change have further intensified the challenges of agricultural water resource allocation in Taiwan. Under climate change scenarios such as high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and prolonged droughts, along with changes in the agricultural environment, issues facing irrigation management have become increasingly complex. Sound irrigation infrastructure, together with effective irrigation management services, form the foundation of sustainable agricultural development. In addition to preserving the achievements built by previous generations, it is essential to directly address current challenges, accelerate the development of agricultural water resource adaptation measures, actively promote cross-sector collaboration and resource integration, and secure the necessary funding to support implementation. Accordingly, this program is proposed to advance sustainable agricultural development. II. Program Content In response to policy directions of the Executive Yuan, in compliance with the Irrigation Act, and in line with the conclusions of the Sixth National Agriculture Conference, this program adopts the vision of “Retaining Water to Irrigate the Land.” Five strategic directions are established: storing surplus water for dry periods, expanding water conveyance and distribution, smart irrigation, securing clean water and preventing pollution, and sustainability and shared benefits. Based on these strategies, four action plans and twelve specific work items are formulated. Through the effective use of agricultural water resources, the program seeks to advance irrigation infrastructure for the benefit of all, foster a win-win environment for production, daily living, and ecology, and ensure that the benefits not only support farmers but also benefit the broader public, thereby achieving the goal of sustainable agricultural development. An overview of the relevant content is provided below. 1. Enhancing agricultural water storage capacity and improving water allocation between wet and dry periods: Based on crop water demand in agricultural production areas, water resources will be scientifically assessed to ensure and maintain a reasonable volume of irrigation water. Regional upgrading and improvement of main and branch canal systems will be carried out. In response to climate change, agricultural water supply resilience will be strengthened by inventorying and coordinating suitable land with relevant agencies to construct regulation and storage ponds, thereby increasing water storage capacity for irrigation. 2. Cross-sector integration for canal revitalization and safeguarding agricultural water security: Efforts will include optimization of irrigation and drainage systems, diversified use of irrigation facilities, and greening of surrounding environments. In collaboration with local governments, concrete actions will be taken to promote irrigation culture and awareness of environmental sustainability, enhancing the functionality and value of canal systems. Canal repair works, including desilting, vegetation removal, and inspection and maintenance of sluice gates, will be implemented to improve irrigation management operations and maintain optimal performance of irrigation facilities. Through big data analysis, irrigation water quality will be accurately monitored to manage potential heavy metal risks. Proactive measures will replace passive reporting mechanisms, and joint inspections with local government environmental protection bureaus will be conducted to enforce public authority, ensure food safety, and advance the policy objectives of the Five Links of Food Safety Policy. Smart water quality monitoring equipment will be deployed, and through cross-sector collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, monitoring resources will be integrated. By continuously tracking real-time trends in water quality changes, discharge patterns of potential pollution sources can be identified, thereby upholding the principle of integrated administrative action. 3. Introducing emerging technologies and promoting precision smart irrigation services: Integrated planning will be undertaken for the diversified use of irrigation facilities. In collaboration with agencies such as the Water Resources Agency, Ministry of Economic Affairs, hydrological conditions will be jointly monitored and management intensity will be flexibly adjusted, thereby enhancing the efficiency of irrigation water use. Piped irrigation facilities will be promoted and combined with information and communications technology to implement automated precision irrigation, enabling real-time water use control and improving disaster prevention capabilities. Functional inspections, desilting, and improvement works will be carried out for agricultural reservoirs and farm ponds to strengthen water supply capacity and reinforce linkages with agricultural production. 4. Expanding and strengthening irrigation networks and actively advancing net-zero carbon reduction: Water sources surrounding suitable agricultural land and corresponding irrigation needs will be reviewed to ensure that farmers outside irrigation districts are also served, with the goal of providing irrigation services for suitable farmland both within and outside irrigation areas. Net-zero carbon reduction measures will be implemented at each stage of the project life cycle, including reducing the proportion of high carbon-emission materials and carrying out tree planting. Diversified green energy development will be advanced to integrate irrigation functions with power generation. Cooperation with private enterprises will be promoted to support tree planting and maintenance through donations and to install green energy facilities. 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, county and city governments, and farmers’ groups or organizations. IV. Implementation Period From 2025 to 2028. V. Budget Requirements NT$21.2 billion. VI. Cost-Benefit Analysis of Alternative Options This program is proposed in response to changes in social and environmental conditions and the increasingly severe fluctuations between water abundance and scarcity caused by climate change. It proactively addresses challenges and difficulties in irrigation water management faced by agricultural development and follows the policy directions and relevant policies of the Executive Yuan. Guided by the vision of “Retaining Water to Irrigate the Land,” the program’s beneficiaries include farmers and the general public. All work items represent tasks that the government must accelerate at this stage, and therefore no alternative options are proposed. VII. Funding Sources The primary objective of this program is to promote sustainable development through cross-sector integration and collaboration, with farmers as the direct beneficiaries. Required funding will be covered by the central government’s public budget and submitted through the annual preliminary procedures for public construction programs. The required matching funds from local governments will be raised by the respective local governments. ","postDeptName":"農田水利署","postDate":"2025-09-05T09:35:39.96","linkUrl":null}]}