Before investing in protected agriculture, you must think it through carefully
Editor's note: The new government officially took office on May 20, and the agriculture and food industries have expectations for the new policies, hoping to make Taiwan, China a country more suitable for farming and more reassuring. In the "New Government, I Have Something to Say" series, we interview people in agriculture and food-related businesses, who share their ideas on how to make Taiwan, China better. The following is an oral account from the interviewee, compiled by a NewsMarket reporter.
Think carefully before investing "tens of millions" in protected agriculture
[Interviewee] Yang Jingxiang, a farmer who graduated from the Department of Agronomy at National Chiayi University and is a Chiayi muskmelon champion farmer
Both my grandfather and father farmed, growing peanuts, corn and so on. I ran around in the fields from childhood and was not afraid of the sun, so after graduating from the Department of Agronomy at National Chiayi University, I went back to farm at home in Taibao, Chiayi without thinking too much. Farming life is very free, and I am used to it, so I do not find it hard.
While studying in the Department of Agronomy at National Chiayi University, I also went to the Department of Horticulture to study how to establish systems for Phalaenopsis orchids, managing pruning, pests and diseases, and so on. In fact, many older people in agriculture already know a lot of agricultural knowledge, but they may not be able to explain it, or they may be very unfamiliar with pests and diseases. For example, some farmers do not know that diseased tomato plants must be removed entirely, and in the end the whole field becomes infected. Looking at systematic management for Phalaenopsis orchids was a great inspiration to me.
The year before last I won the championship at the Chiayi County Muskmelon Festival. However, compared with many farmers who produce and sell on their own, I focus more on production. Growing good quality will naturally be reflected in the market price. For example, my autumn and winter muskmelons now fetch an auction market price of 250-300 yuan per kilogram (editor's note: the auction price for greenhouse muskmelons is about 150-180 yuan). Because I already have a certain reputation, I have my own code at the auction market, and the market recognizes my boxes.
The government encourages young people to return home, but supporting measures must be thought through
In recent years the government has encouraged young people to return home. When I used to take classes at the farmers' association, everyone around me was older, with only 5 young people. Now more than 70% are young people. But everyone only sees our results after we become famous and does not think about the hardship behind it. I say muskmelons are not easy to grow, and many people do not believe it. They even think I am deliberately trying to stop others from coming in to make money.
Reticulated muskmelons take a long time to cultivate. From flowering and pollination to harvest, it takes 45 days, and in autumn and winter it takes as long as 60 days. The longer the time is stretched out, the more pests and diseases you have to face. Some plants cannot hold on and may wither. In my first year of growing them I made no money at all and only broke even, which I treated as tuition. Young people returning home need to have basic concepts first and do their homework well.
I already count as a rural descendant with relatively more resources. I do not need to worry about land, and I also have my father's planting experience. A nearby senior, Brother Xie Junhong, also selflessly shares his growing experience. But many beginners have no resources at all. Although many policies say young farmers can take loans from farmers' associations, they still have to provide collateral, and some farmers' associations directly look at who your father is.
When the government promotes young people returning home, there must be supporting measures. Many people come back wanting to be bosses, but what is lacking now is workers. Young people who return still have to face the problem of labor shortages. For example, we have equipment and land, but because of insufficient manpower we cannot expand planting. In addition to promoting young people returning home, the government should think about the problem of insufficient basic labor and invest in research on improving management models.
Think clearly before investing in protected agriculture
When I returned home, protected agriculture in Taibao was just starting. In 2008 my family took out a loan and built greenhouses to grow muskmelons and cherry tomatoes, spending tens of millions. At present there are 12 houses in total, about one hectare.
Many people think greenhouses are very profitable, but in fact they are just more stable. When it rains outside, we can still harvest, but because of this the working hours are very long. During the peak harvest season we work 10 hours a day, and there is a severe shortage of people.
But after spending money to build facilities, at the beginning there is pressure every year to repay the loan. I suggest young people not invest too much all at once. In the early stage, try about two fen of land. If you do not have your own land, you can first rent land to learn. Wait until you get the hang of it and are sure you want to invest before building. Otherwise the pressure will be very great.