Orchards use green LEDs for pest control, improving crop quality

Orchards use green LEDs for pest control, improving crop quality

2025-06-26

June marks the start of lychee harvest season. In Hsinchu City, some orchards have introduced green LEDs as a form of pest control, successfully mitigating damage from moths. The lights not only cut down on pesticide use, but also produces a more robust and plentiful crop. Farmers say there are no downsides. Lychees grown under green lights are sweeter as well as safer, so people can eat to their hearts’ content.

When night falls, the lychee orchards of Hsinchu City start to glow green. But it isn’t to create a romantic vista. It’s a brand-new weapon in the fight against pests.

Wang Peng-chin
Hsinchu lychee farmer
After experimenting for two or three years, we found that after using green light, we lost a lot less fruit and our harvest dramatically increased.

One of our reporters went to an orchard to see for themselves. The trees were laden with lychees. Peeling one uncovered a bursting white fruit, its enticing scent hard to turn away.

Wang Peng-chin
Hsinchu lychee farmer
This is a “sticky rice” lychee. Its pit is extremely small.

The rays of green light are like a protective cover for the orchard, used from the start of flowering season in April until harvest in July. Lychee farmers say the bulbs need to be higher than the trees, so that the light evenly covers the entire orchard. This way it can effectively drive away nocturnal lychee moths.

Wang Peng-chin
Hsinchu lychee farmer
Since our trees are already 85 years old, they’re pretty tall. We came up with this method, like raising a flag.

Lychee orchards cover about 11 hectares of land in Hsinchu City, 4 hectares of which now use green lights. Six orchards are now using the method, and they all exalt its benefits.

Chen Hsueh-li
Hsinchu City Farmers’ Association
We’ve been promoting this green light technique as a way to reduce pesticide use. This year, six lychee orchards have joined in using our green light technique.

Hsinchu is the northernmost lychee-growing region in Taiwan, and therefore has the latest harvest. Their flavor is different from the “jade purse” cultivar grown in the south, with its own unique aroma. These completely non-toxic green-light-enhanced lychees are not only delicious, but are also even safer to eat.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#fruit #lychee #orchard #harvestseason #greenlight #pesticide #greenagriculture #ecofriendly #Hsinchu #farmers

果園導入綠色LED燈 "以光驅蟲"荔枝品質更升級

2025-06-26

每年六月正是荔枝盛產的季節，新竹市部分果園近年導入綠色LED燈，以光驅蟲，成功抑制夜行性害蟲荔枝細蛾的危害。不僅大幅減少農藥使用，還讓果肉更飽滿扎實、產量提升，果農開心直呼：完全沒有缺點！在綠光照射下長成的荔枝，不只甜度升級，也更安全無虞，讓消費者吃得安心又滿足。

當夜幕低垂，新竹市荔枝果園裡，綠色LED燈泡準時亮起，這可不是景觀裝置或浪漫裝飾，而是果農對抗蟲害，最新秘密武器！

[[新竹荔枝果農王鵬進]]
“我們已經實驗了兩三年就發現說，引進綠光以後我們掉果數量大大減少，產量大大提升”

記者實地走訪果園，只見飽滿的荔枝掛滿枝頭，撥開果殼，白嫩多汁的果肉香氣撲鼻，讓人垂涎三尺。

[[新竹荔枝果農王鵬進]]
“這個是糯米(荔枝)，這個糯米的果核非常的小”

夜晚的荔枝園在綠光照射下，彷彿加裝了防護罩，每年四月開花起就開始，直到七月收成為止。荔枝農透露，燈泡位置要高於樹頂，才能讓光線均勻灑落在果實上，如此才能有效驅趕夜行性的荔枝細蛾。

[[新竹荔枝果農王鵬進]]
“因為我們的果樹大約已經85年，比較高一點，我們想到這個方法，就是像升旗的模式”

目前新竹市荔枝園總面積約11公頃，其中已有4公頃導入綠光系統，使用戶數也從1戶增加到6戶，成效備受肯定。

[[新竹市農會總幹事陳學立]]
“宣導減少用藥宣導綠光防治技術，今年總共有六家荔枝果園參與了，我們整個綠光法技術”

新竹是全台最北、也是收成最晚的荔枝產區，所產荔枝風味與南部主流品種玉荷包不同，更帶有特殊香氣。而「綠光加持」的無毒荔枝，除了好吃更多了一份安心。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

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Grandson of high-profile 228 Incident victim joins movement to recall KMT lawmakers

Lin Mosei was one of the more well-known victims of the KMT’s massacre of local dissidents on February 28, 1947. An educator, he was the first Taiwanese to receive a PhD in the US. He disappeared during the crackdown, and many believed he had been murdered. Last week, after waiting for 78 years, his family at last received a formal court ruling that Lin is presumed dead. However, his family is still sad as his descendants are displaced. Many of them have immigrated to the US. Now only three people from the third generation actually live in Taiwan. One of them has joined the movement to recall KMT lawmakers. He is reminding the public of his family’s painful experience and calling for the protection of Taiwan’s democracy.

Lin Cheng-chih
Lin Mosei’s grandson
Lot 256, on the district of Guting in Taipei City. This is the place where my grandfather was taken away.

During the February 28 incident in 1947, Lin Mosei, the first Taiwanese to receive a Doctor of Philosophy degree in the US, was taken away from his home by plain-clothed armed men in the middle of the night and has never been heard of since. After a wait of 78 years, his family applied to the Taiwan District Court for a death certificate. Last week they received a ruling that Lin Mosei at the age of 140 is legally presumed dead.

Lin Cheng-chih
Lin Mosei’s grandson
It’s hard to believe that miracles can happen but you also just can’t bear to let go. Grandma was very strong in front of us. She often hid in her room and cried. She really missed my grandpa just so much.

Now that the dust has all settled, Lin’s descendants feel no joy and only regret. After Lin’s disappearance, his son Lin Tsung-yi, a pioneering figure in Taiwanese psychiatry, was blacklisted and lived abroad for many years. Lin’s descendents were displaced and only three members of the family’s third generation live in Taiwan, Lin Cheng-chih is one of them. As a writer, he joined a Taiwanese literary alliance in signing a statement in support of the recalls. He even joined a recall group, going out on the streets on hot days and collecting supporting signatures.

Lin Cheng-chih
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A 91-year-old retired Air Force man slowly unzipped a small pocket on his vest and took out his ID card. He asked the volunteer to write for him. When he signed his name, he tried very hard to stop his hand from shaking.

Lin Cheng-chih’s eyes well up with tears when he talks about the movement to recall KMT legislators. His grandfather, who he never met, died in an undemocratic era. Now that he lives in an era of democracy, he is taking actions he thinks will protect it.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#Taiwan #politics #GreatRecallWave #massrecall #DPP #KMT #TPP #228incident

2025-06-26

NYU files opposition against NYCU’s trademark application

Taiwan’s National Yang-Ming University and National Chiao-Tung University merged in 2021 to form the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, abbreviated as NYCU. In the same year, the university applied to trademark "NYCU" in the US, as an attempt to, quote "gain worldwide recognition" and to "become an internationally recognized university." In 2023, New York University, or NYU filed a motion to oppose the NYCU trademark, claiming that it creates confusion. The US Patent and Trademark Office is yet to make a decision for the case. Meanwhile, let’s hear what students at NYCU have to say.

International Student
NYCU
I don’t see it. There’s a whole different letter. At least among my friend group no one would get the two confused.

Student
NYCU
They’re so different. Many proper nouns easily resemble each other. So you need to look at the full name. The abbreviation only comes after the full name, in brackets.

Voice of Wu Shang-kun
Lawyer unrelated to case
Next, the US Trademark Trial and Appeal Board will review the case based on the evidence and claims submitted by both parties. The result could be to reject New York University’s objection, to limit the scope of use for “NYCU” by National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, or both parties could reach a consensus on this part.

NYU’s reasoning is that "NYC" in NYCU invokes "New York City" and therefore dilutes the NYU brand by blurring the distinction between NY, which stands for New York and NYC, an informal but commonly used abbreviation. NYCU submitted a defendant’s testimony in January, in which the president, Dr. Lin Chi-hung penned a 29-point witness’s statement on the university’s history and origin of the NYCU name, which had been approved by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education. He added that NYCU "[does] not offer any university classes in the United States" and therefore, "there is no realistic way [they] could imagine confusion between the two universities."

#highereducation #trademark #intellectualproperty #IPlaws #NYU #NY #NYC #ilovenewyork #ILNY

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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2025-06-26

US big-box store launches home deliveries, amid stiff competition

US big-box supermarket Costco on Thursday launched food deliveries via the platform UberEats, and the big news is that you don’t have to be a Costco member to have items delivered to you. Some experts believe Costco is trying to take a bite at the market shares of two major local retailers, PX Mart and Carrefour, originally a French brand but now under Taiwanese management.

Members of US-style warehouse clubs used to have to pay more than NT$1,300 in membership fees a year and push trolleys under the scorching sun. Now if you casually want to buy food stuffs, it’s not nearly so troublesome.

Enfys Yeh
FTV reporter
In the past, when people would come to US-style stores, many of them would bring the entire family along to help transport the purchases out. But now a delivery platform is working with this US-style store and has even parked a fleet of motor scooters in the parking lot.

It’s a specialized fleet that’s fully equipped. There are now 4 million Costco members, while the food delivery platform has around 3 million users, which is almost as many. Even if you are not a member, you can still buy things at a non-discounted price. Will Costco members feel it is unfair?

Member of store
That’s if they want to enjoy the convenience. Of course, if it’s a little more expensive, some people are still willing to pay. I like to buy things that I can see, that works better for me.

Member of store
I don’t know how to use it. Old people don’t know how to use it.

In order to grab a greater share of the local market, Costco started cooperating with Uber Eats on Thursday in addition to its own delivery services, to compete with two major local hypermarkets, Carrefour and PX Mart.

Liu Jen-hao
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Costco must also want to seize this piece of the market, and integrate with current consumption patterns and trends in Taiwanese society.

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They can reach out to more new customer groups. When comparing them with each other, consumers may have some degree of brand loyalty or specific product preferences. In these cases, even if prices are higher, consumers will still choose it.

The price of ordering Costco goods via Uber Eats is still higher than buying from its brick-and-mortar stores. It will take time to see if people are willing to pay for this.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#retail #retailtrends #ecommerce #B2C #retailwar #Costco #PXmart #Carrefour #fooddelivery

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Mud volcano spews out flames and mud splatters

A mud dome in Pingtung’s Wandan Township erupted in the early hours of Thursday, spewing both bubbly grey mud and flames. It was the first eruption this year for the mud volcano, which normally erupts about twice a year. There were a total of four eruption vents on the ground. As mud flowed into a water conservation ditch, a village chief quickly arranged for a backhoe to clear away the mud.

A mud dome erupts, spewing forth bubbling mud, hot steam and even orange-red flames.

Pingtung’s mud dome in Wandan Township erupted on June 26 at 5 a.m. in farmlands next to Huangyuan Temple. The height of the eruption reached 2 meters and many people came out to watch it.

Member of the public
Not bad. Pretty nice and rather spectacular. This is rare. I didn’t know it could spray so high.

There were a total of four vents spewing mud right by the farmlands and there was also another vent in the ditch. Fortunately the farmlands were in their fallow period and crops were not affected.

Hung Hsiu-shang
Huangyuan Temple
This side has already stopped but next it will be on the other side. There are a total of four vents.

The mud volcano in Wannei Village, Wandan Township, in Southern Taiwan erupts once or twice a year on average, each time lasting more than 10 hours. It erupted twice last year, in March and July respectively. The timing of eruptions is unpredictable and the resulting mud is quite difficult to deal with once it dries up, giving the villagers a massive headache.

Voice of Hsu chan-wei
Pingtung County Councilor
If it’s not dealt with now, it will be difficult to deal with after it dries up, so now the village chief should quickly contact excavators so that they can quickly resolve problems with the ditch.

As one of the vents this time around was in a water conservation ditch, thick mud spewed into the ditch. The village chief quickly arranged for excavators to come in and clear it out before the mud dried up.

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Harvest season for Nantou alpine strawberries to begin

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You saw that right! Even in the stifling summer months, you can visit this strawberry orchard. The bright red fruits are placed into a basket one by one, large and plump. With help from the Renai Township Farmers’ Association in Nantou, farmers have started growing these limited summer strawberries.

Chang Chin-yue
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The farmer might be tooting his own horn, but the fruits really are a vibrant red like rubies. So are they really as delicious as they look?

Member of public
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Its flavor is particularly strong. One bite is enough to get an intense aroma.

Since Renai Township is far above sea level, the summers stay cool with temperatures fluctuating more than 8 degrees between day and night. Summer strawberries grown in the cool breezes of Hehuanshan have significant potential.

Abai Walisi
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Right now, there are six or seven farmers in Renai growing them. We might loop in farmers in other parts of the township and expand promotion.

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For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Penghu ‘seafood bucket’ among hotel restaurant summer specials

Now that summer is here, many people love to eat seafood. One Taipei hotel is bringing the fresh flavors of Penghu to the table, serving lobster, crab, and more in a tangy XO sauce, directly from a bucket. Let’s find out how it tastes.

A bucket brims with seafood. Its smell hits the nose before it ever reaches the table. Al dente lobster and delicate crab absorb the sharp flavor of the XO sauce, bringing out the sweetness of the seafood.

Stir-frying these scallops in XO sauce over low heat releases their aroma.

Lobster and crab go in first to release the flavor of their shells.

The more delicate scallops, clams, and vegetables go in last.

The chef tosses the wok to make sure the sauce gets into every nook and cranny.

When the bucket is dumped onto the table, the seafood piles up in a small mountain and fill the room with the scents of the sea.

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Penghu has lots of crustaceans during this season. Since we wanted to make a stir-fry, if you use fish, it doesn’t look very appealing because it falls apart easily.

Wu Wei-te
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Summer happens to be high season for seafood. So we worked with the Penghu County Government to offer this Penghu seafood banquet. We expect it to boost our restaurant sales by 20 to 30%.

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For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Artist captures scenes from childhood in lifelike miniatures

Having recently graduated from National Pingtung University with a master’s degree in visual arts, 61-year-old Yeh Ta-ming put on a solo exhibition displaying detailed, life-like miniatures. The pieces capture scenes from the everyday life of his childhood in Taiwan.

Classic newspapers are piled up at a stand, while fruits and vegetables are sold at another. There are also scooters parked by an auto-repair shop, and a traditional Taiwanese kitchen. Surprisingly lifelike, these miniature artworks capture scenes from everyday life in Taiwan.

Yeh Ta-ming
Artist
We would wait for the bus or buy breakfast at this newspaper stand. The old woman at the stand would often greet people and say good morning. The hardest part of this piece was making the newspapers, which are already out of print.

Yeh Ta-ming, now 61 years old, earned his master’s degree in visual arts this year. He spent a lot of time with his little brother growing up, especially because their father was a soldier often away on duty. When his brother passed away in an accident, he became nostalgic for the days spent growing up together in the military village. That nostalgia inspired these artworks, which depict scenes from the 1970s to 1990s.

Yeh Ta-ming
Artist
When he passed away, it made me reminisce and feel nostalgic for the time we spent as kids growing up together in the military village. We had many, many experiences exploring that village together.

After meeting his wife, who’s from Yilan’s Nan’ao Township, Yeh discovered the warmth of a big family. In addition to scenes from the military village, he also incorporated scenes from daily life in Nan’ao. Each work in this exhibition at his alma matter is exquisite and lifelike.

Visitor
It reminds me of my childhood, just in miniature. It’s unbelievable that he could make it so detailed and meticulous. Every single piece is incredibly lifelike. Look at how real it seems. It must have taken a lot of effort.

The process of making such lifelike miniature artworks is incredibly complicated and required Yeh to use magnifying glasses. The impressive works on display at his solo exhibition have received rave reviews from visitors.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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