|
Organic agriculture is the transformation of the customary agriculture. The practices of customary agriculture create too many harmful chemicals in farming, harming the environment and human health. Hence people began to reflect on the practice of farming, and change the ways they got used to. Organic farming is a relatively friendly way of farming, protecting the environment, human health and food safety. In recent years governments around the world have been actively promoting organic agriculture. The eastern Taiwan is surrounded by sea and mountains, rather inconvenient for transportation, forming a somewhat independent area. It is the only unpolluted area of Taiwan, quite suitable for the development of agriculture. The green mountains and clear water of Hualien provide favorable conditions for organic agriculture development. Taking these advantages, with the efforts of governmental units and farmers, organic farming area in Hualien is the largest of Taiwan. Its main crops are rice, vegetables, grains etc. Shoufeng, one of the earliest non-toxic agriculture areas Hualien County developed, produce organic vegetables that favoured by domestic and foreign consumers. Farmers’ farming experiences are between 7 and 18 years. They are experienced and with mature farming technics. They farm using natural ways, no chemical fertilizer, even the use of raw materials are as less as possible. Farmers use waste to make compost. Material or leftover are recycled back to the field, then it increases soil strength, with both environmental protection and production functions. With the improvement of farm environment, beneficial insects and insect pests‘ natural enemies and microbes are ecologically balanced, therefore to reduce the use of organic materials. Peasants deeply realize that through their own changes in farming methods can low down the harm to natural environment. In addition to the production of safe crops, planting organically can protect the health of farmers. With ecological environment, and improvement of soil and water, accompanied with the accumulation of farming experience and technics upgrade, it can effectively enhance the yields and qualities of organic agricultural products.
|