Organic and Eco-Friendly Agriculture as Taiwan’s Finest Endeavor: Insights from Economic, Social, and Cultural Perspectives

The workshop began with Dr. Li, former President of the Agricultural Technology Research Institute and founder of Hope Farm, sharing his transition from scientific research to agricultural production. He emphasized that organic agriculture embodies health, environmental, and industrial value, and—when combined with technology and systematic management—can become a viable and sustainable career path. Dr. Li analyzed the structural challenges faced by agriculture and proposed technological solutions for reducing loss, increasing yield, and improving operational efficiency, while stressing that education and social engagement remain central to promoting sustainable farming practices.

Director Ma then led the group into the fields, introducing often-overlooked wild plants and demonstrating how their appearance, scent, and uses reveal ecological significance—highlighting the idea that “weeds are resources.” Students also engaged in a multi-sensory tasting of organic strawberries, experiencing their natural ripeness and vitality. The session concluded with Dr. Li’s account of using drones to “outsmart” bulbuls, illustrating how technology can mitigate agricultural damage without harming birds, thereby modeling an ecologically ethical approach to farming.

Overall, this activity deepened students’ understanding of the multifaceted nature of organic agriculture—not merely as a livelihood but as a way of living that connects land, ecology, and community—and inspired further reflection on sustainable farming and local knowledge.