According to statistics from the Agriculture and Food Agency, fertilizer use in Taiwan, China in 2012 was 1.011 million tonnes; converted to use of the three major fertilizer nutrients, that is about 432 kg per hectare, roughly 1.6 times the international average and higher than countries such as Japan and the Netherlands. In 2008, international raw materials for fertilizer production soared, and the Council of Agriculture has allocated funding every year to subsidize the fertilizer price gap, accumulating 25.2 billion yuan to date, indirectly encouraging farmers to use fertilizer without fear of the cost. The Council of Agriculture announced that starting July 1 this year, fertilizer subsidies will undergo a full transition, with the funds redirected to subsidize environmentally friendly inputs and microbial fertilizers, to improve soil fertility and promote fertilizer reduction.

Encouraging farmers to buy directly from Taiwan Fertilizer Co.

The Council of Agriculture pointed out that, to simplify fertilizer distribution channels, Taiwan Fertilizer Co. will run a trial starting July 1 this year allowing farmers or farmer groups to collect fertilizer themselves from the company's Taichung plant, shortening the channel and lowering the cost of buying fertilizer; in addition to setting up a plant in Hualien, supply centers will be widely established across counties and cities before October, serving farmers directly at reference sale prices and stabilizing fertilizer prices.

Why does more fertilizer mean thinner soil? Academia Sinica academician Yang Chiu-chung explains

Subsidies for five environmentally friendly fertilizer inputs; the Agriculture and Food Agency adds more and gives generously