The traditional industries of the Jhuoshui River Aboriginal villages in Nantou County’s Sinyi Township offer only limited profits. In order to provide training and improve the economic output of local tribal villages, the Sinyi Township Farmers’ Association started supporting the growing of Sun Moon Lake black tea three years ago, ushering in the black tea varietal Taiwan No. 18. Under the guidance of experts, the tea is being harvested for the first time this year. Association secretary-general Huang Chih-hui says that the output value of black tea is significantly higher than that of seasonal summer vegetables. Hopefully this will allow local industries to make all the necessary transformations and bring more benefits to local villages, Huang says.
In the villages along the Jhuoshui River in Sinyi Township, including Dili, Renhe, Shuanglong and Tannan villages, local residents grow primarily chayote (for the shoots, which are called “dragon whiskers“ in Chinese), and green beans — both seasonal summer crops. Profits from these crops are not as good as in villages along the Chenyoulan River, where grapes are the main crop, and local industries are suffering as a consequence.
There is only a mountain separating them from the area around Sun Moon Lake where, in recent years, the black tea industry has seen explosive grow. The black tea market is not only booming — supply cannot meet demand. Three years ago Huang started encouraging a few farmers to try growing Camellia sinensis bushes. More than 10 farmers are now part of the small consort of farmers producing black tea in the area.
Photo: Chen Hsin-jen, Liberty Times
照片:自由時報記者陳信仁
Tea was harvested for the first time this year in areas where black tea is being produced in Shuanglong and nearby villages. Under the guidance of the Tea Research and Extension Station in Yuchih Township, the farmers have learned tea-picking techniques, and the association arranged for them to observe tea withering and rolling processes at the station.
Huang says that in order to increase the willingness of local tribal village farmers to switch over to black tea production, tea seedlings and all the necessary resources and materials are provided by the association. Once they start producing black tea, Huang says the association will also help the farmers market and package the tea, and when absolutely necessary help create ways to sell the tea. Hopefully this will improve and diversify the industries and business opportunities among Jhuoshui River’s tribal villages, Huang says.
(Liberty Times, Translated by Kyle Jeffcoat)
Photo: Chen Hsin-jen, Liberty Times
照片:自由時報記者陳信仁
南投縣信義鄉濁水溪線部落傳統產業收益有限,為輔導、提升部落經濟產能,三年前,信義鄉農會開始支持種植日月潭紅茶,引進「台十八號」紅茶品種,在專家指導下,今年開始收成。農會總幹事黃志輝說,紅茶產值遠高於夏季蔬菜,盼藉此讓在地產業轉型,並為部落創造更多收益。
信義鄉濁水溪線部落包括地利、人和、雙龍、潭南等村,當地居民多種植龍鬚菜、敏豆等夏季蔬菜作物,因收益不如陳有蘭溪線村落種植葡萄等作物來得好,當地產業相對較低迷。
鑑於一山之隔緊鄰的日月潭地區,近年來紅茶產業發展蓬勃,不僅紅茶行情極佳,且常供不應求,三年前,黃志輝開始鼓勵部分農民嘗試改種茶樹,已有十餘名農友加入生產行列。
雙龍等村的紅茶茶區今年首次採收,在茶改場魚池分場專家指導下,茶農學習採茶技巧,也在農會安排下,到茶改場觀摩萎凋、揉茶等過程。
黃志輝表示,為提高部落農民嘗試轉作紅茶的意願,包括茶苗及生產所需資材都由農會補助提供,未來若開始生產紅茶,也會協助行銷、包裝,必要時農會也將研擬相關收購辦法,以提升、多元化濁水溪線部落的產業商機。
(自由時報記者陳信仁)
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