Young people revitalize orange farming in Gukeng Township, Yunlin

Young people revitalize orange farming in Gukeng Township, Yunlin

2024-05-29

Now for a look at a local revitalization project in rural Yunlin. Many of Taiwan’s farming communities are facing decline, as young people leave for big cities. But there’s an upswell of young people deciding to return to the land and breathe fresh air into farming life. In Mayuan in Gukeng Township, young people are finding their own way to revitalize the orange industry. They’re working together to find new ways to market their produce and bring local traditions into the 21st century.

Yunlin is a county founded on agriculture. Almost one third of its population are farmers, and more than 60% are employed somewhere in the farming industrial chain. But many towns are facing an acute ageing crisis and a shortage of labor. They need the government to improve its policies, but they also need to ignite local creativity to attract young people back to the land.

Liu Yi-hsiung
Farmer
It’s really hard to get young people to do this kind of farmwork. Firstly, it’s hot. Secondly, the pay’s bad.

Mayuan is a community in Gukeng Township which produces about 30% of Taiwan’s orange and Murcott harvest. But like many farming villages, it has lost many of its young people to cities. As the farmers age, the village is in decline. But one group of young people has decided to come back to their hometown and take up the task. They’re running the family fruit farms and keeping alive the skills of past generations.

Lin Chun-yi
Fruit farmer
We wanted to find some younger, or new ways to pursue agricultural production. There are not many people to talk about that with, but then we found some likeminded young farmers. So together we are discussing how to make farming more efficient, and how to stabilize our retail strategies.

The return of young people is a chance for traditional farming communities to find rejuvenation. Processing techniques can add value to farming produce. Farmers are no longer just the first link in the chain. They can build up their own brands, and contribute hugely to the development of the local region.

Tu Min-yao
Fruit farmer
I thought of an idea. Why not make liquid or jelly products? So then I found a food factory. We’re always evolving, turning the fruit into food products, which can be more quickly marketed.

A local revitalization program has been thriving in Mayuan in recent years. Organizers first built a Youth Revitalization Space in the community, and held events in partnership with local government, promoting local produce and demonstrating how traditional farming can diversify and spread its wings.

Lin Hui-ju
Gukeng Township head
We worked with the young farmers in Mayuan on the Orange Festival, and again at the Murcott Festival. I see they have unlimited potential.

Lin Chun-yi
Fruit farmer
We have some collaborations, creative cooking, creative experiences, outdoor mystery games. It’s for local students and residents, and even people who come specially from Taoyuan and Taipei.

These young people have embraced rural life and found the courage to throw themselves into entrepreneurship. The real spirit of revitalization – handing down precious traditions – is a way for older and younger generations to find common ground as they work on the land together.

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