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Taitung County crops hit hard by extreme drought

Taitung County has been hit hard by the most severe drought in 30 years, leaving government officials scratching their heads over how to save the county's crops.

Taitung Irrigation Association officials said that although they had diverted water from four streams in the county to fill irrigation canals, the volume of water still fell short of what farmers needed for the season's second round of rice planting.

In addition, more than 50 percent of the area's tea crop has already withered, officials said.

Lo Wen-chi (羅文琦), a section chief with the county government's Agriculture Bureau, said the county government had requested help from the national Council of Agriculture, which sent senior officials to the county yesterday to work out emergency measures.

Taitung County has not had its usual share of rain since early this year, officials said.

Citing Chihshang Township (池上) as an example, officials said the town, which is one of the nation's main organic-rice producing centers, had recorded rainfall totaling only 258mm this year -- less than one-third the normal amount for the same period. The regular plum rain season from May to July never materialized, they said.

In addition, water wells in the township are running dry, something local residents say they have not seen in 60 years.

A number of associations urged the county government to ask for subsidies from the central government to compensate farmers for crop failure.

They also suggested farmers let farmland lie fallow, adding that this would have two advantages: It would give the land a year to recuperate from nutrient depletion and prevent overproduction of rice this year.

Meanwhile, Taiwan Water Corp said it had activated eight deep-water wells across Taitung County to accommodate household water needs.

Company officials called on residents to conserve water to prevent the need for rationing.
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