Affected by the drought, the entire tea plantation in Taiwan suffered serious damage.

(file photo)

[Reporter Yang Yuanting/Taipei Report] Affected by the drought in February and March, as of 11:00 am today (23rd), the crop losses in Taiwan have reached 212.5 million yuan, among which tea crops have suffered the most damage, with losses amounting to 139 million yuan, Su Zongzhen, director of the tea reform field of the Council of Agriculture, said that the main impacts of this wave are tea gardens without water sources or water trucks. It is estimated that the production of spring tea in tea areas without water sources will decrease by about 20% to 30%. to 50%.

Central and southern Taiwan has experienced a prolonged drought without rain. According to statistics from the Council of Agriculture, the total agricultural damage due to the drought in Taiwan has reached 212.5 million yuan. The area of ​​crop damage is 3194 hectares, and the damage rate is 31%, which translates to a non-harvesting area of ​​982 hectares. Damaged crops are It is mainly tea, the damaged area is 1505 hectares, the damage degree is 32%, the converted non-harvest area is 481 hectares, and the loss amount is 139.14 million yuan.

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Su Zongzhen said that the tea gardens without water sources or water trucks are mainly affected. Yunlin County has launched cash disaster relief, and Nantou and Chiayi will cooperate with the county and city governments to conduct on-site surveys and evaluate spring tea in tea areas without water sources. The output is reduced by 2-5%.

In order to cope with extreme climates, Su Zongzhen said that tea varieties that are more drought-resistant have been developed before the tea farm, such as Taicha No. 1, 12, 17, 19, and 20, which are all compared with the main varieties currently cultivated, Qingxin, which requires 40 tons of water per hectare. Oolong saves more than 20% of the water, and maintains the yield and quality. Currently, we are promoting tea farmers to replant drought-resistant varieties, and also promote the field smart monitoring system, which can predict that the future rainfall may be lower than a certain percentage one month in advance, and will remind farmers. Netizens should pay attention to water supply for drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation facilities. Drought is likely to cause pests and diseases. Farmers will also be reminded to prevent and control in advance. In addition, grass cultivation will be promoted so that the tea gardens will not have bare land and reduce soil moisture evaporation.

Another crop affected by this wave of drought is bamboo shoots, with a loss of 56.44 million yuan, and plums, with a loss of 9.87 million yuan.