Indigenous Sustainability Achievements Gather in Taitung
The Ministry of Agriculture Taitung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station held the “Indigenous Vitality, Sustainability and Common Good” and 70th anniversary of home economics extension celebration on 115年10月31日, showcasing recent achievements in promoting sustainable agriculture and tribal agriculture extension. Legislator Chen Ying attended in person, while the offices of Legislators Zhuang Rui-Xiong, Huang Ren and Huang Jian-Bin sent representatives, with enthusiastic participation from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Eastern Branch of the Agriculture and Food Agency, the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute and district agricultural research and extension stations, the Taitung County Government and farmers’ associations at all levels in Taitung County, attracting a large crowd on site.
70 Years of Home Economics Extension Rooted in Rural Life
This year marks the 70th anniversary of home economics extension. Home economics extension in Taiwan’s rural areas started with improving rural family life, and has gradually expanded with the times and changing rural needs to areas such as Tian Mama, local agricultural souvenir products, living improvement for the elderly, and green care. Taitung Station Director Chen Xin-Yan thanked the exhibiting units for their careful preparation in his remarks, and paid tribute to the home economics mothers and extension personnel who have long accompanied rural growth. Ministry of Agriculture Deputy Director-General Chen Rui-Rong affirmed the Taitung Station for combining Indigenous traditional wisdom with modern technology to promote conservation of Indigenous crops, selection of new varieties and labor-saving machinery, as well as low-carbon cultivation and agricultural ESG.
Launch Ceremony Hands Over to Hualien to Continue
The event opened with songs and dances by the Indigenous traditional dance troupe of Jieda Elementary School in Taitung County and the Indigenous dance troupe of Guanshan Industrial and Commercial High School. Director Chen Xin-Yan, Ministry of Agriculture Senior Specialist Guo Kai-Luo and National Taiwan Normal University Professor Lin Ru-Ping then jointly launched the 70th anniversary celebration, followed by a handover ceremony symbolizing inheritance, in which Director Chen Xin-Yan handed the plaque representing the spirit of 70 years of home economics extension to Hualien Station Director Yang Da-Ji, with the Hualien District Agricultural Research and Extension Station to continue the events on 11月7日.
Themed Zones Combine Displays With Food and Agriculture Experiences
In addition to the display of agricultural achievements by Ministry of Agriculture agencies stationed in Taitung, the venue featured an Indigenous sustainability themed zone, an ESG themed zone and a 70th anniversary of home economics extension zone, inviting the Agricultural Technology Research Institute, the Foundation for the Promotion of Women’s Rights and Development, farmers’ associations at all levels, Tian Mama home economics groups, young farmers, Indigenous businesses and organic and eco-friendly groups to display and sell specialty agricultural products. The program included a mochi-pounding show by artisans, fun quiz rallies and an ESG coloring wall, as well as DIY experiences including chaff moss balls, gac fruit rice cake, straw omamori, red oolong fruit tea, millet chili sauce, shell ginger rope twisting and sweet bamboo shoot hand rolls, letting the public experience the charm of Taitung’s distinctive agriculture and home economics craftsmanship.