Taoyuan Agriculture Expo: a green and leisurely journey

2018/01/15

When driving up to the Xinwu Weather Station in northern Taiwan’s Taoyuan City, a giant wind turbine slowly comes into view. Instead of being greeted by a large white generator complex, however, one is met by crowds of people.
 
 The people were gathered at the Taoyuan Agriculture Expo, which was open for a trial run starting from Earth Day on April 22, 2017, and ending on May 14—Mother’s Day.
 
 Anticipating the official opening of the expo, scheduled for April 2018, Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan said the area will remain partially accessible to the public so visitors can continue to experience the county’s unique attraction.
 
A garden of 30 hectares in harmony with the local lifestyle
 
 Taoyuan is home to Taiwan’s expanding high-tech R&D and manufacturing sector, as well as a vibrant agriculture industry. Although only populated by 50,000 people, Xinwu is the largest district in Taoyuan. It was chosen as the venue for the expo due to its famous agricultural products such as duck meat, koi, lotus flowers, mulberry and rice.
 
 The area around the Xinwu Weather Station was virtually undeveloped before being confirmed as the venue for the expo, but Mayor Cheng was determined to bring the event to the region. Cheng confidently told the head of the Civil Affairs Office of Xinwu District, Hsu Tong-zhi, that the Taoyuan Agriculture Expo would commence in five months’ time.
 
 In the beginning, Hsu was skeptical and thought it impossible to organize an expo in rural Taoyuan. However, after five months of planning and development, the expo’s trial run began, gathering artists, curators and staff in what looked like a magical 30-hectare garden.
 
 An elderly couple living near the expo grounds had initially been against the event’s venue choice. However, preparations in the area demonstrated the determination of the artists, curators and all those involved and the couple was convinced. During preparations, they had even brought out their homemade pickles for workers at the site. The elderly couple expressed excitement over the expo, stating that their hometown had never been so completely invigorated in the 70 years they had lived there.
 
 A cultural event should not just be a marketing gimmick; it should be beneficial to local residents as well as help promote tourism, said Mayor Cheng. The expo, which is in close proximity to several elementary schools, can also provide visitors with an understanding of local lifestyles.
 
Additional renovations scheduled before official opening
 
 Many people expect to see a variety of agriculture products unique to the region featured at the expo. However, the Taoyuan Agriculture Expo is different. The event will revolve around four main themes—circular economy, landscape art, green lifestyles and high-tech agriculture. These themes will be showcased in eight main areas—Aboriginal Shelter, Education Zone, Environmental Regeneration, Hakka Craftwork, Plant Landscaping, Rice Culture, Rural Regeneration and Smiley Ranch.
 
 Tourists will be able to see firsthand what a Taiwan agrarian society looks like; learn about recycling and sourcing local ingredients and materials; as well as observe a lifestyle that blends seamlessly with nature. At the same time, visitors can also observe a variety of solar-energy technology including Taiwan’s first PV pond and corridor as well as a solar-powered bathroom. “In the past, we would promote being environmentally friendly with the slogan ‘cherish things.’ Now, although that has evolved to become ‘use green energy,’ the meaning is still the same—to promote the circular economy,” Cheng said.
 
 Following the conclusion of the trail run, the solar-powered corridor and bathroom as well as the tea pavilion and Tree of Life are still open to the public. The Taoyuan City Government is continuing efforts to prepare for the official opening by renovating up to 30 percent of the expo’s facilities and grounds.
 
 If you do not know where to go for family-friendly fun on the weekends, the Taoyuan Agriculture Expo will offer beautiful landscapes as far as the eye can see as well as the opportunity to better understand a green lifestyle and the circular economy.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=19&post=127936)