Ministry of Agriculture to Complete First Edition of Afforestation Guidelines by August for Hualien Landslide Dam Lake Severely Affected Area

Hualien Flood Disaster Key News

Central News Agency

(Central News Agency reporter Wang Shu-fen, Taipei, 6th) The Ministry of Agriculture is promoting post-disaster recovery in Hualien's Mata'an River area. For severely affected areas with an average sediment burial depth of over 50 centimeters, afforestation will be implemented to conserve land and enhance disaster resilience. The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency plans to complete land valuation before July and the first edition of afforestation guidelines by August.

The Ministry of Agriculture today issued a press release stating that after the Mata'an River landslide dam lake overflowed in September 2025, they have progressively implemented a three-pronged approach: "overall planned afforestation in severely affected areas, assisting in replanting in generally affected areas, and maintaining farmers' daily livelihoods," with dynamic adjustments based on local conditions and farmers' needs.

The Ministry of Agriculture stated that for severely affected agricultural areas with an average sediment burial depth of over 50 centimeters, considering the vast quantity of sediment, the mixture of driftwood and rocks, the difficulty of comprehensive external transportation, and the alkalinity of the soil making it unsuitable for cultivation in the short term, after local briefing sessions and landowner willingness surveys, most landowners hope that the government will acquire the land for afforestation.

The Ministry of Agriculture stated that the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency has proposed a dual-track scheme of "land acquisition for afforestation" and "afforestation subsidies" and has initiated valuation planning. It is expected to complete market price appraisals by July this year and conduct the first negotiated purchase in December.

In addition, for landowners who wish to retain their land, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency provides afforestation subsidies of up to NT$600,000 per hectare for 6 years. The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency will complete the first edition of afforestation guidelines by August, which will serve as a reference for subsequent afforestation subsidies and land acquisition for afforestation.

The Ministry of Agriculture stated that for generally affected agricultural areas with an average sediment burial depth of less than 50 centimeters, the Hualien District Agricultural Research and Extension Station of the Ministry of Agriculture has established the "Mata'an River Disaster Area Agricultural Production Environment Reconstruction Project," aiming to complete 300 hectares within two years to assist farmers in resuming cultivation as soon as possible. Six demonstration sites, totaling 5.8 hectares, have already been established. After tillage, application of organic fertilizers, and planting of green manure crops, leafy greens, miscellaneous grains, buckwheat, and cherry radishes have all achieved successful harvests.

The Hualien Agricultural Research and Extension Station also guided the development of value-added processed products such as "Millet Soy Milk." Three project briefing sessions were held in Guangfu and Fenglin from April 22 to 24. The Agriculture and Food Agency also concurrently guided the restoration of 76 hectares of group production areas and large professional farms, and significant results have been seen in farmland restoration. (Editor: Chen Ching-fang) 1150506

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