Kaohsiung Promotes Smart Agriculture with Subsidies for 4 Items; Applications Accepted Until April 30

Central News Agency, Kaohsiung, 22nd (Reporter Tsai Meng-yu) — To assist in the smart transformation of the agricultural industry, the Kaohsiung City Agriculture Bureau is implementing the 'Agricultural Industry Smart Agriculture Subsidy Program.' Subsidized items include smart sensing control systems, smart environmental control systems, smart production machinery, and smart services, with the application period open until April 30.

Yesterday, the Agriculture Bureau invited 14 manufacturers to a matchmaking event to showcase products such as lychee insect repellent lights, smart environmental controls, and smart services, and to match them with farmers based on their pain points and needs. Nearly a hundred farmers and manufacturers participated, with a matchmaking rate of 80%.

A press release from the Agriculture Bureau today stated that the results of the matchmaking event showed that about 70% of farmers were interested in self-propelled or remote-controlled spraying vehicles, remote-controlled cars, and smart environmental sensing and control systems. Another 20% of farmers needed smart sorting machines and environmental control systems.

Farmer Hu Chin-cheng shared at the matchmaking event that spraying his jujube orchard traditionally required carrying a hose from a backpack-style sprayer, and treating his 2.6-fen (approx. 0.25 hectares) plot took 2 hours. This was not only physically demanding but also posed a risk of pesticide exposure. After introducing a tracked sprayer vehicle, the operation time was reduced by 70%, taking only 37 minutes to complete.

The Agriculture Bureau stated that to help farmers adopt smart agriculture, it is continuing the 'Agricultural Industry Smart Agriculture Subsidy Program.' Subsidized items include smart sensing control systems, smart environmental control systems, smart production machinery, and smart services. The application period is until April 30, and applications can be submitted at local farmers' associations or cooperatives.

Agriculture Bureau Director-General Yao Chih-wang stated that Kaohsiung City has promoted 133 smart farms covering over 1,300 hectares in five years. Through matchmaking events, manufacturers and farmers can discuss face-to-face. It is hoped that the number of smart agriculture sites in Kaohsiung will exceed 170, covering 1,400 hectares, this year. The bureau will continue to guide farmers in solving their pain points and match them with private manufacturers. (Editor: Li Hsi-chang) 1150422