Can backpacker work exchanges solve the shortage of rural labor?

Taiwan's rural areas face a serious labor shortage. Recently, some farms in Taiwan, China have begun combining work exchanges for lodging, which not only gives travelers more farming experience but also brings them closer to local rural life. Some farms also arrange for international volunteers to work and, through contact with the land, get to know Taiwan, China better. Young farmer Lai Yung-hua, who once worked for a year on farms in rural Australia and is now devoted to continuing the ancient craft of the soil-pounding mill, believes that in Australia, paid farm work is the mainstream.

Farmers: Work-exchange lodging rules need to be clear to avoid mismatched expectations

Having worked in Australia, young farmer: paid farm work is what solves the problem

Lai Yung-hua, who once worked for a year on farms in rural Australia and is now devoted to continuing the ancient craft of the soil-pounding mill, said that in Australia, compared with working holidays, paid farm work is the mainstream. To solve the problem of seasonal labor shortages on Australian farms, backpackers cannot stay in Australia for more than six months, and many farms do not provide food or lodging; most people who work in Australia find these things online themselves, or those who stay longer rent a place locally and become sublessors, subletting rooms of about 50 to 60 ping to more than ten tenants.

As for wages, Australia's legal minimum wage is 18 Australian dollars an hour, which converted into New Taiwan dollars comes to an income of about NT$470 to NT$500 an hour, so even without lodging, some people are still willing to do it.

Work-exchange lodging farm information

Me Zao Ju Natural Farm
Phone 037-237828 Address No. 268-1, Neighborhood 13, Shiqiang Village, Gongguan Township, Miaoli County
Website https://www.facebook.com/jujube24k?fref=ts

You Tian You Mi Work Station
03-9220412 No. 85, Shenzhen Road, Shengou Village, Yuanshan Township, Yilan County (opposite Sanguan Temple, behind the air-conditioning shop)
http://ruralsmallfarm.wix.com/sweet-rice

Songyuan Cabin
0937-992-679 No. 26-1, Jinshi Road, Yilan City.
http://yilancypress.strikingly.com/

Two Akkerhttp://twoakker.blogspot.tw/