Land management

Categorization and grading of farmland resources

　　In order for the agencies in charge of agricultural administration to get a firm understanding of the situation with respect to farmland resources across Taiwan—understanding that is essential to efficient land use planning—the COA has continued to assist 15 local governments in categorizing, grading, zoning, and inspecting their farmland. This information, and the maps that are based on it, need to be continually kept up-to-date. The COA is currently focusing on making an inventory of the most important agricultural production areas, based on which we will define and designate "Agricultural Enterprise Zones" (AEZs) in order that policy resources can be committed with maximum effectiveness to the highest-quality agricultural production areas. In addition, the results of this process of categorization and grading of farmland are being provided to the Ministry of the Interior to: (a) incorporate them into regional plans across the nation, and (b) use them as reference for reassessment of current land-use zoning and controls.

Policy measures governing the management of farmland

　　The COA aims to make optimally efficient use of the nation's farmland resources. One part of this goal is to promote turnover of farmland from farmers who are not cultivating it to others who will cultivate it. One way to do this is to continually improve the functioning of the COA's "Farmland Bank" website, which matches tenants and landowners, allowing the former to bring that fallow land back under cultivation and even to merge different pieces of land into larger-scale farms. In 2014 the COA helped arrange the rental of 2,040 hectares of fallow land. We also: (i) guided 15 "AEZs" to create "safe production bases," with farmers being assisted to do larger-scale and environmentally-friendly cultivation, and (ii) developed marketing channels to increase the incomes of these farmers so they will recognize the benefits of better farmland management and consequently work on their own at the local level to self-implement better conservation of land resources.

　　In order to assist local governments in their efforts to strengthen farmland management, in 2014 the COA held 13 educational events, including: (i) training programs on farmland management laws and regulations, (ii) meetings with and among local officials to exchange ideas and experiences about their duties, and (iii) legal consultation conferences. These events help local governments to understand and resolve practical problems with their implementation of farmland management policies.

　　At the same time, the COA has expanded the functions of the "Agricultural Land Management Information System" with an App which provides information about farmland management and on-site land surveys. We also held 20 sessions of education and training about this information system, in order to assist local governments in doing on-site surveys and inspection work, thereby raising efficiency in case-by-case policy implementation. Finally, in conjunction with law enforcement work by the Ministry of the Interior, local governments are intensifying farmland inspections and sending back seasonal reports to the COA on farmland management. The COA can use this information to improve monitoring, supervision, and assistance in the implementation of land- use controls.

Water management

　　Water management and irrigation infrastructure (irrigation and drainage channels, aqueducts, and other related technologies to distribute and deliver water) are integral to agricultural development and the well-being of rural residents. Proper water management reduces the chances of both drought and flooding, thereby minimizing economic losses and keeping the supply of food dependable. It makes important contributions to improving the living environment in rural areas, promoting safety and prosperity in rural communities, and strengthening ecological and environmental conservation.

　　In 2014 the COA: (a) renovated or improved 282 kilometers of irrigation and drainage channels; (b) completed 1,107 infrastructure items/projects; (c) renovated or improved water channels and accompanying roads on 1,176 hectares of “early-phase consolidated farmland”; (d) assisted farmers in installing water-saving equipment, such as water-spray irrigation and pipeline-drip irrigation, on 2,217 hectares of land; (e) renovated or improved automated water-measurement and reporting systems in 49 locations; and (f) guided local irrigation associations to operate 2,337 water-quality testing stations and do 38,918 water-quality tests. As a result of these measures, we have been able to stay up-to-date on the usage rates and quality of irrigation water, uphold the rights and interests of farmers, improve farm operations, upgrade the quality of life in rural communities, promote production efficiency, and contribute to the prevention or mitigation of natural disasters.

　　Finally, we are working to upgrade the water delivery systems in COA-designated “consolidated farmland” zones. (The designation of these zones is a long-term policy aimed at increasing economies of scale, modernization, and productivity in the zones). The combined roadway/water-channel networks in these zones—critical to water management and delivery—are aging and dilapidated. Therefore, funding has been set aside for a three year program (2014-2016) to upgrade these networks. In 2014, improvement was completed on 185 kilometers.

Management of other rural assets

Forest resources

　　The COA has worked in a variety of ways to better conserve and use our nation’s forests and their plant and animal resources, ncluding the following: Surveys of forest land: In order to collect information about the nation’s forests, in 2008 we launched the Fourth Forest and Land Use Inventory. This was completed in 2014. There are 2.197 million hectares of forest land in Taiwan (including outlying islands), a coverage rate of 60.7%. The forest stock volume is about 500 million cubic meters, while total carbon storage is about 750 million metric tons.

　　Afforestation, conservation, and law enforcement: In 2014 the COA completed afforestation on 2,177 hectares of land; added to forest conservation and recovery by reclaiming 1,951 hectares of forest land that was being illegally occupied or used; compensated renters to reclaim 441 hectares of rented state-owned forest land for afforestation; handled 25 forest fires, covering 20.5 hectares; interdicted 266 violations of the Forestry Act, sending 260 persons to be prosecuted; interdicted 12 violations of the Wildlife Conservation Act, sending 26 persons to be prosecuted; and conducted regular habitat patrols (officers removed 771 illegal traps in 2014).

　　Sustainable use of manmade commercial forest: In accordance with international developments in environmental protection, the COA has not only intensified conservation of natural forest, we also are promoting sustainable use of manmade forest cultivated for economic reasons. We have conducted a complete survey of commercial forestry zones and constructed a regional forestry production system. In 2014 the COA guided the formation of four forestry industry cooperative associations, and mediated cooperation between tree growers and enterprises to create innovative boutique products made from bamboo.

　　Environmental education: Acting under the Environmental Education Act, the COA helps rural communities and “soil-and-water-conservation outdoor classrooms” apply for certification as “environmental education sites.” As of the end of 2014, the COA had guided nine sites in passing certification requirements. We also held two intensive courses with 30 hours of instruction on environmental education, assisting 17 people to gain certification as full-time environmental education personnel.

　　Surveys of wildlife: The COA regularly conducts surveys, monitoring, and measurement of bio-resources. We have thus far compiled 302,130 data entries, and are continuing to carry out long-term surveys of low-, mid- , and high-altitude areas in Taiwan. In the Tengjhih Forest Recreation Area mid-altitude area, infrared cameras have captured photos of 16 species of mammals, including the endangered Formosan black bear. Also, to encourage the public to participate in long-term monitoring of wildlife, we have established Internet communities for moths, ferns, snails, spiders, and roadkill. Already more than 70,000 data entries have been collected.

　　Sustainable commercial exploitation of organisms: Research into the sporocarp of the fungus Antrodia cinnamomea (used as a medicinal herb in Taiwan) has been especially successful, with a "Method for Cultivating Antrodia cinnamomea Sporocarp" receiving patents in the European Union and Japan. Both this method and also technology for “extraction of Cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris” have been transferred to three private enterprises.

　　Emergency medical treatment of wild animals: In 2014, 512 wild animals were treated for injury or illness.

　　Biodiversity education: The COA has produced 23 separate printed or video teaching materials on biodiversity. We have also sent staff to schools on 156 occasions to provide biodiversity instruction, a program which has proven to be very popular with primary-school students and teachers.

Fisheries resources

　　The COA has been working for many years to strengthen conservation of coastal fisheries resources and the marine life environment. We have adopted a number of regulatory measures that include designating areas where fishing is banned, designating seasons when fishing is banned, setting a maximum number of fishing boats, and setting a maximum total catch. We apply these measures to regulate several types of fishing, including the trawling, gill-netting, larval anchovy, flying-fish roe, mackerel and scad, eel fry, and sea-crab industries.

　　The COA has for several years now been promoting the "MCS" program (management and surveys of catches) in our coastal fisheries. Measures include: (a) inspections of fish catches at fishing harbors, (b) assigning observers to fishing boats, and (c) eradication of illegal fishing. Also, to reduce fishing intensity, the COA has a program for buying back fishing boats; in 2014 we purchased five fishing boats and 52 smaller fishing craft.

　　Further measures taken in 2014 included the following: (a) To increase ocean resources and support biodiversity, we continued to release fish fry (17.75 million of all kinds) and clear artificial reef areas of derelict fishing gear (2111.2 kilos of abandoned nets at 12 reefs). (b) The COA's Fisheries Bureau (using the patrol craft Yujian No.2), the Coast Guard Administration, and local governments combined to conduct 184 patrols of coastal fisheries.

　　The COA has also taken steps to protect shark resources. In 2008, we acted on our own initiative to prohibit catching of whale sharks. In 2012 we launched a "fins-naturally-attached" measure to prevent “finning” (the practice of catching sharks, cutting off only the fins, and then throwing the remains back in the ocean). Also in 2012, the COA announced regulations governing the import of shark fins, permitting such imports only from fishing vessels that are on the "white list" compiled by regional fisheries management organizations. (As of 2014, Taiwan had issued a total of 1,198 approvals for import). In 2013, we announced new regulatory measures for catches of great white sharks, basking sharks, and mega-mouth sharks, under which the COA received notification in 2014 of the catching of 13 specimens, providing important data for reference. In terms of enforcement, in 2014 the authorities discovered 14 violations of shark-related rules (out of 3,331 fishing boats inspected). Furthermore, the COA has commissioned scientists to use a DNA barcode technique to inspect shark fins in markets.

Animal protection and welfare

　　The COA has been working strenuously to ensure the welfare of household pets. Critical policies have included the following: (a) For many years now the COA has been working to persuade citizens to accept a "lifetime commitment" to their pets and to stop pet abandonment. A pet registration system has been in place since 1999, requiring that dog owners register and implant identity chips in their pets. In 2014 there were 167,281 new pet registrations, bringing the total to 1.43 million. (b) The COA has also launched a "three-in-one" program to reduce pet reproduction and inoculate animals against rabies in more remote areas. In 2014, nationwide 71,746 dogs and cats were neutered under this program.

　　We have also been working to resolve the problem of homeless and stray animals in our country: (a) Through a variety of means, we have been successfully increasing the rate of adoption from animal shelters. We created an online adoption platform with data covering the entire country in order to make information about adoptable pets more available. In 2014, the adoption rate from animal shelters was 57.8%, up from 40.8% in 2013, while the rate of humane euthanasia was 26.5%, down from 40.4% in 2013. (b) With regard to the complex and controversial issue of feral dogs, the COA in 2014 convened a public hearing on the issue, inviting a mix of people representative of the country's overall social structure to participate. The core consensus of participants was: (i) to urge the government to attack the problem at the source (reproduction), (ii) to urge the authorities to improve communication with the public to help people understand the complexity of feral dog management, and (iii) to more forcibly encourage animal breeders and owners to behave more responsibly.

Environmentally-friendly livestock operations

　　The COA has formed a team of specialists and experts to advise livestock ranches on how to increase their energy efficiency, upgrade their waste handling, and install effective pollution prevention equipment. In 2014, the team made 620 consultations. In addition, via demonstrations and consultations, we assisted livestock ranches to make considerable advances, including: (a) switching over to energy- saving lighting at 56 ranches; (b) installing biogas-utilization facilities at 9 ranches; (c) installing second- stage solid-liquid separators at 61 ranches; (d) switching over to red plastic biogas fermentation bags at 41 ranches; (e) adoption of anaerobic sludge elimination at 50 livestock ranches; (f) renovating and upgrading compost depots at 10 ranches; (g) installing spray-mist odor-removal equipment at 15 ranches; and (h) arranging for waste-water recycling and reuse at 10 ranches. These types of steps strengthen pollution control at livestock ranches.

　　The COA has also initiated a program to more efficiently dispose of poultry excrement. Under this program, local governments encourage poultry farmers to adopt a self-inspection and self-management mechanism for handling of chicken excrement, and teach farmers of fruits and vegetables how to compost poultry excrement for fertilizer. In 2014 the COA helped arrange sales of 3,220 metric tons of such fertilizer.

　　Finally, the COA has strengthened oversight of the disposal of animal carcasses by livestock ranches. In 2014 we: (a) conducted a total of 13,826 inspections of the methods used by livestock farms to dispose of carcasses; (b) assisted in the signing of contracts between livestock ranches and rendering plants; and (c) provided services to ranches in remote areas to handle and transport animal carcasses.

Disaster preparedness

　　The COA aims to minimize the impact of natural disasters on agriculture through subsidizing preventive construction projects (pre-event phase), having effective response mechanisms in place (mid- event phase), and assisting in recovery (post-event phase). To do these things, information is critical, and we have been working for many years on building a comprehensive natural-disaster information system.

　　In 2014, the main accomplishments included the following: (a) After the completion of the "comprehensive agricultural disaster-prevention information platform" in 2013, in 2014 we expanded the search function to include past and present drainage engineering in farm areas. In addition, the disaster-prevention databank was updated. (b) We launched the "spatial digitization" of disaster- response information for four demonstration localities (Changhua, Chiayi, Tainan, and Kaohsiung). We also completed the preliminary steps for mapping models of disaster situations in the major agricultural production zones in these demonstration areas, including the flood-tolerance and loss curves for specific target crops (leafy vegetables, fruit trees). (c) We successfully completed preliminary work on an early warning system for potential flood impacts on agriculture; the system can be accessed through an information search platform for mobile devices.

Integrated management of mountain and river-basin areas

Mountain areas

　　The COA has continually worked to manage mountain areas; minimize landslides, sediment accumulation, and other risks; and conserve soil and water resources. Major work in 2014 included: (a) conservation and management of major reservoir catchment areas; (b) preventive measures against, and emergency responses to, landslides, concurrent with maintenance of land-management infrastructure projects; (c) measures to manage and conserve regional soil and water resources and construct green environments; (d) management of areas delineated as "designated water and soil conservation areas."

　　We oversaw a total of 491 projects, which stabilized an estimated 8.30 million cubic meters of land. We also conducted 41 research projects related to (i) surveying and mapping of watershed areas, (ii) monitoring and analysis of movement and shifting of soil, and (iii) upgrading of technology for managing mountain areas and preventing disasters.

　　The COA also made improvements to emergency-use rural roads, starting with those most urgently in need of upgrading. We strengthened soil-and-wat er control infrastructure, braced slopes for greater stability, improved road drainage, and verified that the ground underlying the roads will remain stable and the roads passable in the event of an emergency. It is essential to do whatever we can to prevent landslides, collapses, and debris flow that can threaten the safety of residents of mountain and slopeland areas. In 2014 we oversaw 405 projects and improved about 200 kilometers of road.

The Tsengwen, Nanhua, and Wushanto reservoirs

● In managing slopeland within the catchment areas of our nation’s key reservoirs, in 2014 we continued to pursue two main tasks: management of natural waterways and handling of collapsed land. Between 2010 and 2014, we invested NT$3.47 billion (NT$200 million in 2014 alone) to undertake 359 projects (28 in 2014) to prevent sedimentation and to stabilize slopeland. Using multi-scale monitoring technology, we are able to evaluate progress in this policy area, and in 2014 we recorded a total of 320.5 hectares of restored vegetation/ forest area on slopeland in reservoir catchment areas, stabilizing a total volume of 6.43 million cubic meters of soil and potential sediment.

● In concert with watershed conservation, the COA also is responsible for managing national (state-owned) forest land in these reservoir areas. Major tasks include reclaiming (with compensation) national forest land that had been rented out, managing natural waterways in forest areas, dealing with collapsed forest land, and afforestation. In 2014 we: (a) reclaimed 38.4 hectares of rented land; (b) conducted work in 34 locations to manage waterways, deal with collapsed land, and do afforestation; and (c) replanted 24.6 hectares of forest land that had been previously destroyed. Combined, these projects stabilized about 430,000 cubic meters of potential sediment. Expenditures were NT$150 million.

River basins

● The COA has been implementing two programs involving improvements of agricultural drainage systems, facilities, and drainage bottlenecks in farming areas. By the end of 2014, 14 farmland drainage improvement projects had been undertaken by local irrigation associations (in Yilan, Miaoli, Nantou, Changhua, Yunlin, Jia’nan, and Pingtung). A total of 7.5 kilometers of drainage channels and 16 structures had been upgraded, and high inundation- potential areas (2,000 hectares) are now protected against flooding.

● The COA also undertook: (i) soil and water conservation in upstream slopeland along rivers as well as regional drainage within the jurisdiction of municipalities, counties, and cities, that come under the range of planning; and (ii) watershed management and flood control in 55 Aboriginal townships. For the first phase of these projects (2014-2015), the budget is NT$2.8 billion, of which spending for the 2014 fiscal year was NT$1 billion. We executed 263 watershed conservation and management engineering projects, effectively stabilizing 1.1 million cubic meters of soil.

● The COA also is responsible for projects (including evaluation and reassessment tasks) to manage slopeland, prevent flooding, and manage watershed areas in the national forest in Aboriginal townships. Slope management and flood-prevention work includes two items: management of natural waterways and management of collapsed land. The first phase runs from the 2014 through the 2015 fiscal years. As of the end of 2014, work was completed on 27 projects of slope management and flood prevention, restoration work was completed on 24.7 hectares of collapsed land, and about 504,000 cubic meters of soil was stabilized. Expenditures were NT$300 million.

● The COA in 2014 continued to undertake measures to upgrade the durability and capabilities of the drainage systems in aquaculture production zones and aquaculture-pond cluster areas, focusing on seven counties and cities. In coordination with the general management of river basins, we have undertaken numerous projects (seawater delivery systems, water recycling, relocating water pumps, drainage improvement, dredging, making fish- pond dikes higher, etc.) to reduce both the demand for ground water (which leads to land subsidence and thus more flooding) and to minimize damage from flooding. Also in 2014, we completed planning for an infrastructure project to deliver seawater to aquaculture operators in Pingtung County. Finally, we also completed revision of relevant regulations that are connected to achieving policy goals in this area.

● As part of overall management of river basins, the COA has also drawn up special measures for protection of staple crops in some river-basin areas. These measures will help farmers maintain their incomes, stabilize the supply of summer vegetables, and reduce future expenditures for natural- disaster relief for agriculture. The first phase will be implemented in five major vegetable production regions: Sanxing Township in Yilan County, Xiluo and Erlun townships in Yunlin County, Xingang Township in Chiayi County, and Ziguan Township in Kaohsiung

Dredging of waterways

● As a result of the loosening of the rocks and soil in mountain areas produced by the massive "921" earthquake of 1999, and of further destabilization caused over the years by several severe typhoons with extraordinarily heavy rains (the worst being Typhoon Morakot of August of 2009), land has collapsed in a large number of forest compartments in upstream watershed areas of rivers in central and southern Taiwan. The rock and soil that has been washed down has created serious sedimentation in these unprotected waterways. In order to reduce risks to life and property, in 2014 the COA’s Soil and Water Conservation Bureau began 93 waterway dredging projects, clearing away 5.526 million cubic meters of rock and soil, to restore unobstructed flow in these waterways.

● The COA has also continued to deal concurrently with management of natural waterways and dredging of sediment in national forest areas. (For specific strategies and methods, see the “Program to Strengthen Dredging of Rivers, Wild Streams, and Reservoirs.”) We have given priority to waterway management and handling of collapsed land at bottleneck sections of waterways or those areas where flooding could present a threat to infrastructure or local Aboriginal communities. Timing is critical for these high-risk locations, so we have followed the principle "clear the right places, clear at the right times," and we stay fully up-to-date on the progress of all projects. In 2014, our target volume was 559,000 cubic meters, while the actual total dredged was 741,000 cubic meters, well in excess of the target.

Preparedness against debris-flow disasters

● The COA maintains and publicizes a list of waterway areas that pose the highest risk of debris-flow disasters. In 2014 we added seven new locations to the list, bringing to 1,671 the number of areas with potential for dangerous debris flow, spread across 17 counties and cities, 159 townships, and 684 wards and villages. We also continually work to ensure that at-risk communities have up-to- date evacuation and preparedness plans in place. In 2014 we conducted assessments of, and made revisions in, the evacuation plans for 582 at-risk wards or villages. We also keep lists of the citizens living in high-risk locations, so we can account for everyone if disaster strikes. The most recently updated lists (as of the end of 2014) include 48,116 persons.

● The COA holds regular drills and activities to inform people how to evacuate in the face of potential debris-flow disasters. In 2014 we organized 43 drills and 233 informational activities, and we provided training to a total of 2,320 volunteer specialists to do preparedness work in their communities. We also encourage the creation of "self-protected disaster-preparedness communities," which are community organizations that can function independently if disaster temporarily cuts them off from help. These now exist in 85 locales.

● We also have a system of "yellow" and "red" alerts for risk of debris-flow incidents, updating these warnings when necessary in coordination with rainfall predictions issued by the Central Weather Bureau each day at 0500, 1100, 1700, 2000, and 2300 hours. We also coordinate with press conferences held by the CWB when they issue typhoon warnings, so that we can provide the latest debris-flow warning information. As of the end of 2014, we had constructed 48 debris-flow monitoring stations (28 fixed, 3 mobile, and 17 simplified).

Protecting national forest

　　Preparedness work in national forest focuses on watersheds as the unit of management, and is conducted on the basis of surveys conducted on collapsed land in state-owned forest areas and risk assessments in watershed areas. Also, when necessary we implement emergency response projects to deal with damage caused by typhoons. In 2014 the COA budgeted NT$800 million for 175 projects involving: (a) stabilization of collapsed land in upstream national forest areas, (b) sediment control infrastructure, and (c) repair work and emergency- response actions. Work covered 137.3 hectares of landslide areas and checked the downward flow of an estimated 4.332 million cubic meters of sediment. Our consistent goal has always been to protect national forest against natural disasters, and to restore national forest areas as fast as possible if disasters do occur, thereby fulfilling our overall mission of conserving national forest land.

Slopeland management

　　The COA classifies slopeland into various categories and sets restrictions on what agricultural uses are allowed in specific locations. In 2014 we completed surveying and classification on 6313 hectares. We adopt long-term plans for managing locations where there is an urgent need for stabilizing soil and water resources, which are known as "designated water-and-soil conservation areas." So far 10 conservation projects have been completed in such areas. In 2014 the COA formally adopted one new plan for a designated water-and-soil conservation area, reviewed plans for 15 other areas, eliminated one area altogether, and undertook mapping for two future areas.

　　In cases where development use of slopeland is allowed, the COA must approve soil-and-water conservation plans (including simplified notifications). In 2014 there were 2,878 approvals and we did 2,199 inspections of ongoing projects that use slopeland. Also in 2014: (a) Using satellite remote-sensing imaging, we discovered transformations of slopeland in 2,389 cases. (b) We conducted investigations into and forced a halt to illegal use of slopeland in 2,014 cases (with fines totaling NT$114.47 million and persons turned over to the judicial system in 101 cases). (c) We provided guidance to local governments in creating "soil-and-water conservation service teams," which provided service to citizens in 3,810 cases. (d) We worked to improve public understanding of the importance of obeying the relevant laws in order to ensure that development and use of mountain slopeland is done safely.