Drought causes lychee damage; Chiayi County to apply for cash assistance

The drought and water shortage from the second half of last year to now have caused poor fruiting of lychees in Chiayi County. Chiayi County invited the Tainan District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, the Agriculture and Food Agency, and township offices to form a survey team, which conducted on-site surveys in the main production areas of Zhuqi Township and Fanlu Township. The survey results showed that the damage reached the assistance threshold, and the data will be compiled and submitted to the Agriculture and Food Agency of the Council of Agriculture to launch cash assistance.

The lychee planting area in Chiayi County is about 838 hectares. Since September of the 109th year of the Republic of China, there has been drought with little rain. Although there were many flowers, the subsequent fruiting was poor. According to reports from township offices, the damaged area in the main production area of Zhuqi Township is about 80 hectares, with a damage level of 40%; the damaged area in Fanlu Township is about 40 hectares, with a damage level of 30%.

According to the on-site survey results of the survey team, both Zhuqi Township and Fanlu Township reached the disaster assistance threshold. Chiayi County has compiled the relevant survey result data and will submit it to the Council of Agriculture to launch county-wide cash assistance for lychees. After the Council of Agriculture makes an announcement, farmers affected by the disaster will be asked to apply at their township offices within the deadline.