Vedan lets go, but Nantou County Government still wants to attract investment; youth call out: being friendly to small farmers and food is the future of Puli!

The crisis for Puli's rose and water bamboo farmers is still not over!

Vedan's "Drink More Water" had originally planned to expand its factory on public land owned by the Nantou County Government, causing rose and water bamboo farmers who had been cultivating the land to be asked by the county government to relocate, which sparked strong public concern. Although Vedan's "Drink More Water" ultimately terminated its factory expansion investment project in Puli, the Nantou County Government still has not given up on the idea of developing existing land to attract investment. The county government stressed that this land is the most complete contiguous county-owned farmland under its control and is also not currently leased out. Based on promoting local employment opportunities and considering reducing environmental and landscape impacts, the county government will still propose other plans for its use, and leasing the farmland is the last option.

This means that "Rose Bloom Four Seasons" still faces enormous operational risk in the future. Person in charge Kuo Yi-ping said that once the news came out, although Wu Pao-chun and other friends called to express concern and offer help, many large hotels in northern Taiwan were also worried that "Rose Bloom Four Seasons" could not supply stably, and were considering switching to imported edible roses as a substitute.

Kuo Yi-ping said she really hoped the county government could lease out the county-owned land so they could farm legally.

The "Drink More Water" incident also prompted local organic farmers in Puli and people concerned about agricultural development to connect. About 40 to 50 people, including farmer friends from the Taiwan Heart Greater Puli Organic Alliance, National Chi Nan University faculty and students, and local young people concerned about agricultural development, recently held a forum titled "Why Is Farmland So Expensive? Where Is the Future of Agriculture and Youth?" to pay attention to Puli's future development.

The young people attending also formed the "Neipu Community Agriculture Support Association." In addition to supporting flower farmers Chang Ssu-kuang and Kuo Yi-ping of "Rose Bloom Four Seasons" and water bamboo farmer Chang Chun-an and others, they will also interview older farmers in the community to learn about Puli's agricultural past as a basis for thinking about Puli's future development.