Meet the citrus farmers of Satoyama Juku

General News Jan 1, 1970By Emily Carter 0 views

Text: Hsu Pang-ning; Photos: Satoyama Academy

The Yuanli alluvial fan plain, known as the "granary of Miaoli," is surrounded on its east and north sides by low hills and foothills. In these satoyama environments, besides terraced fields scattered through the valleys, there are streams, ponds, homes, orchards and wooded hills, a textbook "satoyama" setting. Back when we were still at "Organic Rice Farm," most of the people we knew were organic rice farmers. After we founded "Satoyama Academy" last March, we began to get familiar with this new environment in Jiaopu Village and to meet new farming friends.

After getting to know these farming friends, we also gained a basic understanding of Jiaopu's citrus industry. Because most of them still use traditional cultivation methods, and mostly sell through "middlemen," prices are easily pushed down. And because most of the fruit farmers are already elderly, they mostly use herbicides out of physical necessity, which also easily degrades the orchard soil. We began to imagine: Could we promote sod culture in Jiaopu's satoyama? Are there other ways to replace pesticide use? Could the thinned fruit and dropped fruit be reused? If we arranged relevant courses, would these farming friends be willing to learn together? Could Jiaopu's satoyama citrus have a resounding brand of its own? Of course, the power of consumers also matters, so we will keep holding events, whether "Satoyama Citrus Fragrance" or "A Night in Satoyama," all in the hope that through these events, consumers can meet citrus farmers face to face and give these hardworking producers the most concrete support.

It is said that this year the local farming friends will reorganize the fruit tree production and marketing group. We have modest expectations about this, hoping to go one step further through connections with local organizations, meet more citrus farming friends, and all think together about which good direction Jiaopu's satoyama citrus industry can move toward. Of course, we also welcome everyone to join "Satoyama Citrus Fragrance" or "A Night in Satoyama," and explore the local citrus farmers and industry with us in depth!

Meet the citrus farmers of Satoyama Juku

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