Extreme Weather Hits Hualien Pomelos, Farmers Seek Disaster Aid

Farmers in Hualien, Taiwan, are facing significant crop losses as extreme weather patterns disrupt the growth of their pomelo orchards. Recent heavy rains followed a period of drought, but it was the lack of precipitation in late March, coinciding with the pomelo's flowering season, that proved most damaging.

Experts from the Hualien District Agricultural Research and Extension Station noted that while overall annual rainfall might be normal, its distribution has been highly uneven in recent years. In March, rainfall in key pomelo-producing areas like Ruisui, Yuli, and Zhuoxi townships was only about 40-45% of the average, severely affecting fruit set. Farmers report that trees are yielding one-third less fruit than usual.

In response to farmer concerns about a poor harvest, a joint assessment team from the county government, agricultural research station, and agricultural and food administration visited the affected orchards. Preliminary findings indicate that insufficient water supply during the pomelo's growth period has led to a noticeable decrease in fruit set, with damage levels exceeding 20% in affected areas, meeting the threshold for natural disaster relief.

The Hualien County government stated it will assist farmers in applying for cash assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture. "We will help apply for natural disaster cash relief from the Ministry of Agriculture as soon as possible," said Chen Shu-wen, head of the county's agricultural department. The county also emphasized the increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change and pledged ongoing technical guidance and post-disaster recovery support for farmers.

“

We will help apply for natural disaster cash relief from the Ministry of Agriculture as soon as possible.