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By Lo Chi & Jake Chung / Staff writer, with staff writer
According to the Environmental Protection Administrations (EPA), the promotion of preventive agriculture biotechnology over the past few decades has not only saved the environment but also improved yield and quality and helped farmers save money.
The EPA stated that excessive fertilizer use has resulted in soils with high levels of phosphorous and nitrogen. This has made it difficult for crops to absorb nutrients and is the main source for nutrient pollution in the waterways.
In 2019, the agency developed biocoal and microfertilizers with National Taiwan University. They found that they could reduce fertilizer use by 20-50 percent and also decrease nutrient contamination, Department of Water Quality Protection Director Yen Hsu–ming stated. () said.
Photo by CNA
The EPA selected areas around Fei Tsui Reservoir. ()Shihmen Reservoir ()Yen said that he wanted to promote the use biofertilizers.
Kuo Yang-cheng said that research has shown photosynthetic bacteria can help crop growth. He also stated that researchers have been teaching farmers how they can grow their own bacteria. ()a researcher at Food Industry Research and Development Institutes Bioresource Conservation and Research Center.
Yang said that biofertilizers have reduced 20 to 70% phosphorous loss, increased field production by 7-24 percent, and reduced fertilizer costs by 15 to 41% for farmers.
Tan Minging-ta ()Owner of a farm in Taoyuans Fusing Township (), stated that he was cautious initially, using only one-fifth to test biofertilizers.
He was however pleased to report that the area of his peach orchard that had biofertilizers was producing 20 percent more fruit. The fruit was also larger.
Tan stated that his sales have increased by 20-30 percent. He also said that he would continue to use biofertilizers in his next season, and would recommend the product for other peach farmers in Lalashan. () area.
The EPA stated that it will promote preventive biotechnology and establish more artificial wetlands, grassed watersways, and green belts in order to reduce nutrient pollution in water.
Additional reporting by CNA
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