- NTU Agricultural Extension Committee Hosts Technical Consultation Events for Local Farmers
To strengthen knowledge exchange and promote sustainable agricultural practices, the NTU Committee of Agricultural Extension (CAE) collaborated with the Taoyuan District Agricultural Research and Extension Station (桃園農改場) to organize a series of agricultural technology consultation and training events across northern Taiwan throughout 2024.
These outreach events provided a platform for local farmers to connect directly with university professors and agricultural experts, encouraging two-way knowledge transfer between academia and the farming community. During each session, NTU faculty and research specialists offered on-site crop diagnosis and technical advice, reviewing photos, videos, and physical plant samples brought by farmers. Based on the observed crop symptoms, experts provided tailored guidance on soil fertility management, fertilizer use, and pest and disease control, with recommendations adapted for conventional, eco-friendly, and organic farming systems.
In addition to technical diagnosis, the events focused on promoting reduced pesticide usage and improved productivity through precise management strategies and the introduction of new organic inputs and pest control methods. This knowledge-sharing approach allowed farmers to adopt sustainable technologies, improve crop health, and enhance production efficiency, while fostering stronger connections between NTU researchers and local agricultural producers.
In total, ten consultation and training sessions were held across Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, and Hsinchu, serving approximately 660 farmer participants. These activities have become an important channel for NTU to deliver practical agricultural innovations to local communities and strengthen regional food production capacity.
Events conducted in 2024:
- May 24 – Shilin District Farmers' Association, Taipei (Leafy vegetables, camellias)
- May 31 – Hukou Township Farmers' Association, Hsinchu (Corn, gourds, tea oil)
- June 14 – Pingzhen District Farmers' Association, Taoyuan (Leeks, eggplants, taro, rice)
- June 21 – Bali District Farmers' Association, New Taipei (Citrus, pomelo)
- July 8 – Shenkeng District Farmers' Association, New Taipei (Green bamboo shoots)
- Aug 15 – Beitou District Farmers' Association, Taipei (Lychee stink bug control)
- Aug 16 – Shulin District Farmers' Association, New Taipei (Leafy vegetable cultivation and pest management)
- Aug 23 – Qionglin Township Farmers' Association, Hsinchu (Beans and persimmons)
- Sept 5 – Guishan District Farmers' Association, Taoyuan (Longhorn beetle control and soil improvement)
- Oct 18 – Daxi District Farmers’ Association, Taoyuan (Leek cultivation and pest management)
- NTU Plant Medicine Program Hosts Integrated Corn Health Management Workshop in Yunlin County
To promote sustainable crop production and enhance knowledge exchange with local farmers, the NTU Plant Medicine Program organized a technical consultation and training workshop on integrated corn health management on September 20, 2024, at the Yuanchang Township Farmers' Association (元長鄉農會) in Yunlin County — a region that accounts for nearly half of Taiwan's 15,000–16,000 hectares of corn cultivation.
Experts from the Tainan District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, along with professors from NTU's Departments of Entomology and Agricultural Chemistry, were invited to share professional guidance on corn cultivation practices and pest management. Topics included optimal planting seasons, soil drainage challenges during the rainy period, and essential techniques such as crop rotation with green manure, multi-stage land preparation, and proper timing for irrigation and fertilization.
In addition, NTU experts discussed common pest threats such as armyworms, recommending targeted pesticide applications at dusk for best results and discouraging the use of light traps due to low specificity. Instead, they introduced eco-friendly pest control methods like pheromone traps and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) sprays.
The workshop also featured a session led by NTU Plant Medicine Program Director Professor Nai-Chun Lin (林乃君), who shared updates on Taiwan's "Plant Doctor" initiative. Local farmers then joined a field-based survey, completing questionnaires to help assess current challenges in local corn production.
Through this interactive event, farmers gained practical insights into integrated pest and nutrient management, fostering sustainable farming practices and strengthening collaboration between academia and local agricultural producers.
- NTU Plant Medicine Program Supports Citrus Health Management Workshop in Douliu City
To enhance local farmers' expertise in citrus cultivation and disease management, the NTU Plant Medicine Program co-organized a technical consultation and training workshop on integrated citrus health management with the Douliu City Farmers' Association (斗六農會) on May 21, 2024. Douliu City, a major citrus-producing area in Yunlin County, is particularly known for its pomelo and Murcott tangerine production.
The event featured researchers from the Chiayi Agricultural Experiment Station, who provided detailed insights into the growth characteristics of citrus varieties, and Professor Ting-Hsuan Hung (洪挺軒), Director of NTU's Plant Medicine Teaching Hospital, who discussed common citrus diseases and management strategies. Special attention was given to huanglongbing (citrus greening disease)—a global concern—and the experts offered practical recommendations for disease prevention and integrated control.
In the afternoon, the NTU Plant Medicine team, including Professor Hung, Associate Director Nai-Chun Lin (林乃君), and two resident Plant Doctors, conducted an on-site field diagnosis at the Yunke Eco-Leisure Farm (雲科生態休閒農場). Local farmers and members of the pomelo production and marketing group actively engaged in hands-on discussions, presenting real-world cultivation issues and receiving immediate, tailored solutions from the experts.
This workshop effectively bridged scientific knowledge and field application, enabling farmers to adopt preventive measures and targeted interventions for healthier citrus crops. It exemplifies NTU's commitment to providing accessible, practical, and science-based agricultural knowledge to support sustainable food production and empower rural farming communities.
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