Taiwan Sugar hastily developed optoelectronics, and even the export area of edamame beans should be covered with photovoltaic panels! Farmers jump feet, experts: edamame beans need strong light, not suitable at all

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Can photovoltaic panels grow on top of edamame bean fields? The Taiwan Sugar Company plans to build a demonstration site for "rural symbiosis". Recently, it selected the Pingtung "green gold" edamame bean area, and it is estimated that 37.95 hectares will be designated as a "camp-type optoelectronic special area." however, farmers and experts have questioned: edamame bean is a crop that needs a lot of light. Only with the sun can it grow well. How can it be symbiotic with photovoltaic panels?.

Taiwan Sugar's plan also mentioned that if the harvest of edamame beans under the photovoltaic board is not as expected, it should be tutored and transferred. Farmers hear the jump: where should the edamame bean farmers go? Although Taiwan Sugar guarantees that it will not affect the cultivation of edamame, the farmers who have been designated as special areas are worried about whether the area will be expanded in the future if this example is opened.

Edamame beans are Taiwan's "green gold," with outstanding export results, with exports exceeding US $80 million for three years in a row, and this year is expected to reach an all-time high. If photovoltaics are built in the production area of such fine crops, farmers are worried that the output value and livelihood will be greatly affected, and that there is no possibility of symbiosis between green gold and green energy.

The symbiosis area of agriculture and electricity planned in the plan of Taiwan Sugar

Taiwan Sugar Plan: a symbiosis zone for agriculture and electricity will be set up to conduct shading experiments with edamame beans.

The "upstream and downstream" exclusively obtained the pilot plan for the agricultural and power symbiosis demonstration field in the Taiwan Sugar case, which states that in order to tie in with the government's energy policy, Taiwan Sugar has identified land suitable for promoting agricultural photovoltaics, and has proposed nine special area project letters to be sent to the Council of Agriculture for review. Another case was sent in January this year, that is, this piece of farmland leased to farmers in Yanpu, Pingtung, to grow edamame beans.

According to the plan, in order to meet the requirement of more than 25 hectares in the special area, the area of the project is 37.95 hectares, 34.21 hectares are leased to grow edamame beans, 0.8 hectares are agricultural and waterway land, and 2.94 hectares are expected to be covered with photoelectricity panels for rural power symbiosis tests. landscape seedlings were originally planted, but now the land has been prepared for empty garden.

Taiwan Sugar Plan

Taiwan Sugar said that the contract farmer had agreed, and the farmer himself: it is impossible for edamame beans to do rural power symbiosis.

The plan also explains the feasibility of symbiosis between edamame beans and photovoltaic panels: "edamame beans belong to short-day crops, and the selection of varieties can meet the production needs under appropriate shielding. This plan will be tested with three kinds of shielding rates (green energy facility configuration planning) to compare the effects of different shielding rates on edamame bean production, which will provide a reference basis for large-scale application in the future."

In the plan, it is also said to have obtained the consent of the lessee: "the agricultural and electric symbiosis experimental area grows edamame beans with reference to the operation process of edamame bean production, the land ownership is owned by Taiwan Sugar Company, and the edamame bean producers also agree with the planning contents of this special area." they all agree with the implementation of agricultural and electric symbiosis. "

However, when "upstream and downstream" visited Lan Xinchun, the farmer who worked the land, he said, "it is impossible for edamame beans to do symbiosis between agriculture and electricity!" There is an obvious contradiction between his opinions and the contents of the plan.

Farmer Lan Xinchun believes that edamame cannot symbiosis with optoelectronics, and it is not feasible to set up an optoelectronic special area here (Photography / Cai Jiashan)

Farmers: the shading of edamame beans is definitely not good. Once planting electricity in the complete special area, it may destroy the industry.

Lan Hsin-chun said that when Taiwan Sugar sent someone to talk on the same day, he told the Taiwan Sugar sponsor on the spot that agricultural electricity symbiosis in edamame bean fields was not feasible, but if Taiwan Sugar tested it with 2.94 hectares of farmland for its own use, he had no objection as long as it did not affect his soya bean fields, so he signed the consent form. However, after signing the consent form, Lan Hsin-chun asked Taiwan Sugar to provide a cut letter to ensure that the soya bean growing area would not be affected, but Taiwan Sugar has been slow to provide it, and has sent the plan to the Council of Agriculture for review.

Lan Xinchun points out, "if my edamame bean grows next to the 'ring forest' (the road tree of environmental protection afforestation), it can no longer grow well, because it is blocked by the tree, not to mention the photovoltaic panel." According to the on-site observation, the edamame beans under the shade do grow. He stressed that edamame beans need enough sun to grow healthily, which is completely unsuitable for symbiosis between agriculture and electricity.

He is even more worried that after the painting of the agricultural power area, the quality of edamame beans may decline, and photovoltaic panels will also affect foreign customers' good impression of the area. Because many customers take a fancy to the large and complete field here, which is convenient for farming management, and the quality of edamame beans is stable and good.

Lan Xinchun has been growing edamame beans with his father since childhood, which can be said to be raised by edamame beans. This endless area of edamame beans was established before 1996, and it was only after it was established that farmers dared to invest in expensive large-scale agricultural machinery. "Land preparation and irrigation systems alone cost NT $1 billion to NT $20 million, and large machines and tools cost more than NT $10 million each." He explains that after Taiwan Sugar did not grow sugar cane at that time, soya bean farmers were the first people to lease Taiwan sugar land, so they rented the best land. Now that Taiwan Sugar has achieved remarkable results, it is inconceivable that Taiwan Sugar should grow electricity in this precious area.

The edamame beans under the road trees do not grow well after being shaded. (photo / Cai Jiashan)

Expert: beans cannot be symbiotic with rural electricity, and large machines and tools are difficult to operate.

Agricultural experts from agricultural research units have also pointed out the absurdity of the plan: "edamame beans are crops that need a lot of light, and there can be no shade, which will cause plants to grow excessively, only blossom but not pods, or pods will not be full." And edamame beans from soil preparation, sowing to harvest are the use of large machines, if covered with photovoltaic panel green energy facilities, the machinery is difficult to work.

At present, agricultural research units in various places are also studying the feasible crops of agricultural power symbiosis, looking for crops that are shade-resistant and whose yield can still be maintained at more than 70% under the photovoltaic panel. "but legumes, from a theoretical point of view, know that it is impossible to do agricultural symbiosis. It's never included in the option."

Taiwan Sugar may also have misunderstood the definition of "short-day crop". The plan mentioned that "edamame beans belong to short-day crops, with variety selection, under proper shelter, can meet the production requirements." However, experts point out that the so-called short sunshine means that the growing period takes only 70 to 80 days and the total sunshine hours are relatively short. It is not that edamame beans require less light and can withstand shade. "edamame beans need very high light intensity," and at present there are no varieties that are insensitive to light.

Another expert points out that Taiwan Sugar's approach is too rash, and if you want to apply for a symbiosis zone for agriculture and power, you should first test it yourself and then apply after you have the data. What's more, out of more than 30 hectares, less than three hectares are engaged in rural power symbiosis. "how can this be called a special area?"

Edamame beans are harvested with large machines and tools. If photovoltaic panels are laid in the field, it may be difficult to cultivate (provided by farmers)

Taiwan Sugar Plan: if it is not good, turn it into a farmer: green can give priority to customers?

Edamame is known as "green gold". Over the past decade, with the cooperation of industry, government, university and research, it has made a shining export record. In 108 years, foreign sales reached 30,000 metric tons, earning a foreign exchange of US $84.53 million (NT $2.61 billion). This year, it is even more likely to break the record of the past 50 years. The sound export industry chain, scientific management and enterprise management of edamame beans can be said to be the benchmark crops of agricultural products in the country.

However, the case cast a shadow over the vision of edou. What worries farmers most about the proposal is the paragraph of the "statement on the Protection of the Rights and interests of Optoelectronic Systems", which reads:

"after the implementation of this plan, if the crops planted in the experimental area do not meet the yield standards, the Council of Agriculture / Taiwan Sugar should assist in the conversion, so as to ensure that the 20-year wholesale purchase contract signed between the optoelectronic system and Taiwan Power will continue to be valid. Do not let people mistakenly think that" fake planting, real seed electricity "will affect the reputation of the two companies."

This means that if edamame beans do not grow well and have a poor harvest under the photovoltaic board, they will have to be tutored and transferred to other crops in order to maintain the operation of the optoelectronic system.

Edamame farmers question why "green gold" should be planted because of optoelectronics. If green can give priority to customers, it will run counter to the saying in the plan book that "agriculture is the main thing, and green energy will add value."

Farmers are even more worried, "if I say yes, will I continue to expand in the future?" According to the plan, "with an area of more than 7000 hectares in Taiwan, it is initially estimated that the potential for the subsequent provision of solar photovoltaic systems can reach more than 4GW." It seems to mean that if the demonstration site of this case goes well, Taiwan Sugar is expected to expand to use other soya bean fields leased to farmers as optoelectronic zones.

Taiwan Sugar: the symbiosis of agriculture and electricity will never affect the soya bean field. If the lessee does not agree, it will not be implemented.

Liang Yaoguang, head of the bioenergy assessment and development group of the Taiwan Sugar Renewable Energy Group, responded to various questions: "I have always stressed that I am only doing more than two hectares," ensuring that the surrounding edamame bean fields will not be affected.

Liang Yaoguang said that at the beginning, he chose this piece of land to grow edamame beans because they were already growing edamame beans, and in the future he hoped to invite farmers to farm instead. "in order to comply with the laws and regulations, it takes 25 hectares to make a special area before you need to include the perimeter frame." therefore, more than 30 hectares of edamame bean fields nearby are included in the area.

As to whether edamame is suitable for planting under the photoelectric board, Liang Yaoguang said frankly that he had not consulted experts beforehand, and there was no precedent to follow, so he hoped to use this demonstration field to do experiments. On the other hand, the issue of entry and exit of large machines and tools has been taken into consideration. "the machines are four meters high and four meters wide, and solar panels are planned to be higher and wider."

Why not choose other crops that are more suitable? Liang Yaoguang explains that the crops currently tested by the Agricultural Test Institute are mainly vegetables, but if Taiwan Sugar's symbiosis of agriculture and electricity is to grow vegetables, it will be difficult to bear the manpower load. In the future, the management will be adjusted according to the on-site crop planting situation.

Wanluan cut down trees and electricity has just aroused discussion, and edamame bean seed electricity has caused a stir again.

A few days ago, the Taiwan Sugar plains afforestation area in Wanluan, Pingtung, also launched a rural power symbiosis zone plan, which met with opposition from local residents. Now the agricultural power plan of the edou area in Yanpu has also been questioned by farmers and experts. Should Taiwan Sugar's planning be more prudent?

Liang Yaoguang said that he will absolutely respect local opinions. In this case, he has communicated with farmers and tenants for many times and asked each other to sign a consent form. Taiwan Sugar is in charge of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. "the minister has always stressed that edamame beans are important export crops and cannot affect the edamame bean industry."

But if the tenant disagrees, what will Taiwan Sugar do with it? Liang Yaoguang replied, "it is possible that this case cannot be executed." He also explained that the case has been sent to the Council of Agriculture for approval, and the local government also needs permission, and if the examiners do not agree, Taiwan Sugar will make further amendments.

Pingtung edamame bean is a model student of agricultural products in Taiwan, which enhances its competitiveness through mechanized and intelligent precision production (Photo Source / Council of Agriculture)

People in the industry are worried that if Taiwan Sugar does not renew its lease, the state-owned land should be planned more carefully.

Some people in the edamame bean industry said that although Taiwan Sugar said that agricultural and power symbiosis would not affect the rights and interests of edamame farmers, it asked the lessee to sign a consent form, and if the tenant did not agree, it would be worried that Taiwan Sugar would not renew its lease. "the development of the edamame bean area is very meaningful now. If it is unilaterally recovered, it will do great harm to the edamame bean industry." At present, Taiwan Sugar has not written a letter of agreement to provide to the lessee.

The landlord Taiwan Sugar has the right to decide whether to rent it or not, but this time even the lessee who signed the consent form got it wrong. It turns out that Lan Xinchun is only a contract farmer, and the consent form should be given to the lessee Zhenxiang Food for signature.

Zhenxiang Foods is one of the major domestic companies that buy edamame beans and export them to Japan, renting a lot of Taiwan Sugar to grow edamame beans. Japanese customers have strict requirements for products, which field each batch of goods comes from, and all production processes must be reported in detail. If you plant electricity in the special area, it may arouse customers' doubts.

Lan Hsin-chun believes that Taiwan Sugar's land is not decided by Taiwan Sugar. "this is state-owned land, the land of the Taiwan people, and Taiwan Sugar is just a manager." The implementation of green energy is a major national policy, and Taiwan Sugar, as a state-owned enterprise, should not act hastily.

Examiner, Agriculture and Food Administration: edamame is an important industry and will be carefully guarded.

Chen Qirong, secretary to the director of the Agriculture and Food Administration, which is responsible for reviewing the case, said that a written data review meeting was held on the nine cases sent by Taiwan Sugar last year, and the expert suggestions at the meeting could be summarized into three points: first, "agriculture is based." symbiosis of agriculture and electricity must take into account quality and output, maintain a good agricultural business environment, and second, combine agriculture, ecology and landscape. Third, it is necessary to implement full communication with the local people, civic groups and local governments.

Chen Qirong explained that this case of edamame beans in Yanpu must also comply with the above principles, and edamame beans are an important industry with export competitiveness. "this plan is to use edamame beans for agricultural and power symbiosis, and we are also very cautious. Edamame beans need a lot of light. At first glance, it will have an impact." The Agriculture and Food Department will make the most careful check on whether the combination of optoelectronic products with edamame beans will affect the overall development of the industry, the views of foreign customers on products, the feasibility of mechanical operation, and whether it will affect quality.

Li Genzheng has problems not only in cutting down trees, but also in the rough way of promoting Taiwan Sugar, so location planning should be made.