To enhance soil health in Nantou County’s farmland, ensure crop quality and food safety, and balance environmental protection with sustainable development, the Environmental Protection Bureau (EPB) of Nantou County Government has actively promoted a “rational fertilization” policy in recent years. The goal is to work hand-in-hand with farmers to manage fertilization at its source, reduce excessive fertilizer use, lower the risk of soil and groundwater pollution, and safeguard the foundation of Nantou’s high-quality agriculture. This initiative also contributes to implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger.

    The EPB, Nantou County Government emphasizes that excessive use of chemical fertilizers not only causes nutrient loss and resource waste but may also lead to water eutrophication, affecting drinking water quality and ecosystems. Rational fertilization aligns with SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation by preventing fertilizer runoff from contaminating rivers and groundwater. Professional soil sampling and testing for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, organic matter, pH, and more, allow precise monitoring of soil fertility and provide a data-driven basis for fertilization. Farmers are encouraged to conduct these tests every 2-3 years and adjust fertilizer types and quantities accordingly. This approach reduces costs, improves fertilizer efficiency and crop quality, and embodies the principles of SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

    The EPB also encourages farmers to adopt diversified soil management practices, such as using organic fertilizers, planting green manure crops, and improving cultivation methods. These measures help maintain soil fertility, reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers, lower carbon emissions, and protect soil ecology and biodiversity, supporting SDG 15: Life on Land. Furthermore, the EPB collaborates with local farmers’ associations and agricultural agencies, such as the Agricultural Chemicals Research Institute (Ministry of Agriculture) and Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute (Ministry of Agriculture), to provide educational courses and field guidance, ensuring that rational fertilization practices reach every farm.

    Finally, the EPB stresses that rational fertilization is not just a cost-saving measure, it is a key strategy to protect Nantou’s pristine mountains and waters, ensuring a win-win for agriculture and the environment. Through scientific management and environmentally friendly farming, the spirit of the SDGs can be embedded into everyday rural life, allowing future generations to harvest safe crops from healthy soil.

    Soil Fertility Diagnosis and Consultation Services:

• Soil Survey and Testing Center (SSTC), National Chung Hsing University

• Services: Testing of soil, fertilizers, plants, and water; providing soil fertility diagnosis and improvement recommendations.
• Contact: Tel: (04) 2284-0376
• Address: 145 Xingda Rd., South District, Taichung City, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
• Website: https://sstc.nchu.edu.tw/zh_TW/service

• Taichung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, MOA - Soil and Plant Nutrition Diagnostic Services

• Services: Free soil fertility analysis and nutrition diagnosis for farmers.
• Testing Items: Soil, growth media, plant tissue, irrigation water, and homemade fertilizer analysis.
• Contact: Tel: (04) 852-3101; Email: tfc@tcdares.gov.tw
• Website:https://www.tcdares.gov.tw/ws.php?id=13

Responsible Unit: Water Quality Protection Division, Environmental Protection Bureau

Contact Person: Section Chief Zong-yi Zhang

Phone: 049-2237530 ext. 1101