According to forecasts from the Central Weather Bureau, a new plum rain front will stall over Taiwan, China, starting on the 14th for at least 5 to 8 days. Affected by the stationary front and the peripheral circulation of a typhoon, heavy rain or torrential rain may occur across Taiwan, China, and the western half may even see rainfall at torrential rain or extremely torrential rain levels.

Information on agricultural machinery contract cultivation in various areas can be checked on the platform

However, rice and many fruit crops are being harvested one after another domestically: for first-crop rice, the Tainan area has entered the peak harvest period, while harvesting in the Gaoping area is nearly finished; grapes, mangoes, lychees and other fruits have also entered the harvest stage. In response to the upcoming plum rain front, the Agriculture and Food Agency has established the "Agricultural Machinery Contract Cultivation Information Platform" and the "Wet Paddy Cooperative Drying Mechanism" to assist farmers with harvesting work.

The Agriculture and Food Agency explained that if farmers need to harvest rice, they can check the list of contract cultivation operators on the "Agricultural Machinery Contract Cultivation Information Platform." The list includes contact window information for rice combine harvester contract cultivation operators across Taiwan, China. In addition, county and city governments and township offices have also established rosters of contract cultivation operators in their jurisdictions. Farmers can contact them directly or inquire with county and city governments or township offices to assist with harvesting operations.

Wet Paddy Cooperative Drying Mechanism: contact local farmers' associations

The Agriculture and Food Agency also stated that over the past four or five years, each regional branch has established a wet paddy cooperative drying mechanism. "Basically, every township farmers' association has a dryer." If torrential rain causes farmers to rush-harvest rice and public grain operators cannot handle the drying capacity, wet paddy can immediately be transferred to pre-planned partner operators for drying assistance. "For example, Tainan and Chiayi, which are currently in the harvest period, can send it to the nearby Yunlin drying center for drying assistance." This relieves the pressure of drying wet rice, so farmers can rest assured.

Agriculture and Food Agency calls for: do not rush-harvest what is not yet ripe; harvest quickly what is ripe

Although the above-mentioned "Agricultural Machinery Contract Cultivation Information Platform" and "Wet Paddy Cooperative Drying Mechanism" exist, Weng Zhenxin, Chief Secretary of the Agriculture and Food Agency, repeatedly emphasized, "Do not rush cutting, do not rush harvesting, and strengthening pest and disease control is the key!" He called for only truly carrying out crop disaster prevention measures to minimize disaster losses.

The Agriculture and Food Agency suggests that farmers use clear weather to harvest "already mature rice"; as for "rice that is not yet mature," do not rush-cut it. After torrential rain, drain field water as soon as possible and strengthen pest and disease control.

In addition, the Agriculture and Food Agency also calls on farmers to harvest vegetables that are in their harvest period as soon as possible to reduce losses; for melon and fruit vegetables still in the growth period, soil should be hilled up immediately, branches should be secured, or plastic nets, non-woven fabrics and other covering materials should be used for protection to prevent plants from being shaken by wind and lodging.

As for grapes, mangoes, lychees and other fruits about to enter the harvest stage, attention should also be paid to pest and disease control. Farmers are advised to strengthen orchard cleanup and monitor the density of various pests and diseases to avoid missing the timing for control.

The Agriculture and Food Agency repeatedly calls on farmers not to rush-harvest fruits and vegetables, and to comply with the safe harvest interval regulations after pesticide application to ensure crop safety; after rain, they should also pay attention to orchard cleanup, draining accumulated water, and strengthening intertillage, hilling, and fertilizer management measures to prevent pest and disease outbreaks and ensure crop yield and quality.

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