What is the current state and future outlook of the agricultural product processing industry?

2019 was Taiwan, China's version of the "first year of regional revitalization." The government's grand strategy was clear: to rebuild the population structure of rural areas on the verge of collapse, and to prevent the social functions of local communities from gradually fading away and leaving them as stumbling "dependents."

But for those who want to take that first step back to their hometown, merely being able to "settle down and make a living" in the countryside is a huge challenge. Should you farm, or should you find a job? If you go into farming, will the crops sell? The real pressures of daily life are constantly shattering people's visions of what rural life could be.

Many promoters of regional revitalization argue that agricultural processing is a solution that helps raise the added value of farm production, revitalize the local economy, and fits the industrial characteristics of rural areas. But how should policy be designed, and what should it do, to help these small producers? This time, this article will look for answers starting from the experiences of rural newcomers.

The all-around makeover king among settlers: Me Zao Ju revitalizes village streets through agricultural processing

When it comes to regional revitalization and agricultural product processing, one cannot fail to mention Chen Shu-hui, owner of "Me Zao Ju Natural Farm." As early as ten years ago, she was a rural "new immigrant" who moved from Taipei to Miaoli. To give her beloved dog a healthy living environment, she chose to buy property in Gongguan, Miaoli, right next to the mountains with fresh air, and at the same time bought the jujube orchard beside the house to begin her new life.

Six years ago, she even built a small, exquisite organic agricultural processing room, as stylish as a hipster cafe, using crops produced on her own farm to process and make various products. In the processing room, the entire layout fully complies with food safety and hygiene standards. It not only has a properly planned production flow, but has also passed certification as an organic processing facility. On this point, Chen Shu-hui emphasized: "In the processing room, if ingredients not produced on the farm are used, such as sugar needed for pickling or processing, I absolutely buy organic agricultural products separately. Whenever materials are taken, I record the date and self-register the production process, so that food safety can be traced and inspected. For small producers, this really is not very difficult."

In addition, in the village street area near the farmland where the "Chuanlong Canal" flows through, Chen Shu-hui rented and preserved and renovated an old village house, opening "Chuanlong Tofu Shop," promoting the revival of Taiwan's native soybeans through contract farming of Taiwan beans. At the same time, she also created a shared farming field for young farmers, empowering more people to join agricultural production, and also established the "Maoli Elementary School Group" to go to 11 elementary schools in Miaoli to promote food and agriculture education. Since last year, her "business territory" has expanded again. She rented another old house opposite Chuanlong Tofu Shop to create "94 Friendly Shop," connecting young farmers in Miaoli who practice friendly farming, selling unpackaged ingredients, and bringing more hope for the revival of the village street area.

"In the past year or two, many farming friends often come running over saying they want to visit my processing room, just to see whether they can build one like this on their own farmland and make their own processed agricultural products." Chen Shu-hui recounted these rich experiences, clearly a model for farming friends interested in agricultural processing, and even more a key figure in local revitalization. As a settler, through the regenerative renovation of old houses on the street, industrial revival, and the building of a Miaoli young farmer community, she continually opens up new life for this place.

Chen Shu-hui, owner of "Me Zao Ju Natural Farm," moving through the fields.

New immigrants lead the way, bringing people back to the local area

The most critical factor in Chen Shu-hui's ability to settle down and make a living locally is still her skillful use of community connections to support their industry. For example, the "94 Friendly Shop" she opened was formed by many young farmers from across Miaoli. These young farmers do not just sell goods to the shop. More importantly, Chen Shu-hui also gives the young farmers involved in running the shop an "obligation": they must join the ranks of food and agriculture education and young farmer training. This approach indirectly prompts the entire young farmer community to become connected, turning scattered local settlers and returnees into a "community."

Agricultural processing is another example. Chuanlong Tofu Shop certainly could not be run by Chen Shu-hui alone. She brought in her old Taipei friend Chen You-rui, who led her into the countryside, became a full-time tofu shop manager, and established a company. Through a "one person brings another" model, she brought the original urban community network into the countryside. At the same time, the tofu shop hired local young people as craftsmen, thereby energizing rural employment opportunities and keeping young people who might otherwise have left the countryside.

Chen Shu-hui believes that what can truly revitalize the countryside is not only agricultural production, but a series of supporting industries that come along with agriculture. She said: "In my imagination, I feel that every idle old house on the street can be an opportunity. For example, rural areas may need plant doctors to help farmers deal with pest and disease problems, and they could move in here. And the funds from the tofu shop could even invest in these people's startups, making the local area come alive." Chen Shu-hui also pointed out that new immigrants already in the countryside can play the role of guides, providing funds or assistance and strengthening connections and mutual support among communities, all of which are feasible options for regional revitalization.

●This article is excerpted from Harvest Magazine. For more exciting content, please seeMay 2019 issue。