Taiwan Hydraulic Organization Developments  Chia-Nan Canal Organization  Three-Year-Crop-Rotation Implementations  Interview with People Involved in Irrigation 

Q1：How old are you? How long have you been farming? How many types of crop have you planted? Do you have a part-time job?

A：I am 57 years old. I have 2kah of land. When I was about 4 or 7, I started helping out in the rice field. It is been 50 years since I started working as a farmer. If there are temporary jobs, I also do them because income from rice planting is not enough for me. I have planted rice, corn, sweet potato, water melon, and silky gourd. I also try to grow other plants if their prices are high. I mostly plant rice though.

Q2：How large is your land? Do you get up early?

A：I have 2 kah of land currently. My rice field is a two crop rice area so I am allowed to plant rice twice a year. The first crop rice period is from January 21st. Since the sun rises later in the winter, I get up at about 6 or 7 o’clock. The second rice crop period starts from July 10th. Since the sun rises earlier in spring, I start working in the rice field at about 4 or 5 o’clock.

Q3：How is water controlled during each crop rice period?

A：Water use in each period varies. During the first month, the water level has to be maintained at 3 inches high. Then, the water level is adjusted depending on rice growth. The water level is controlled based on experience. There is no standard for it. The rice field has to be completely dry 20 days before harvest.

Q4：How is water channeled (pilotage) into the rice field once it is approaching? How long does it take?

A：When it is time to irrigate, I place the soil bags inside canals, and open the water pipes by the rice field to allow water to flow into the rice field. It takes about 1 hour to irrigate 1kah of land. When the time is up, the soil bags have to be removed to allow water to continue to flow to the next farmland. I place mud or soil from the rice field inside plastic bags to make soil bags. If they are destroyed, I replace them with new ones.
The pilotage times are regulated by Irrigation Association. Basically, the schedule cannot be changed but if a farmland shares the same canal, it can be negotiated in private.

Q5：What happened to water thieves before? Are there records of people who were punished for stealing water? Do people steal water these days?

A：Water thieves would be taken to jail in the past but it was a rare event because most villagers knew one another. They were not so cruel. The offenders were normally asked to write a statement of repentance. It was a shameful thing to do though. Now, water supply is abundant and most people have water pumps. I don’t think people need to steal water now.

Q6：I heard that you had to pay “water rent” before. How much was it? Were water rent for rice and water rent for sugarcane the same?

A：Water rent was calculated based on rice price. For every 1kah of farmland, one had to pay for 50kg of rice. Construction fees also had to be paid. It was also 50kg of rice per 1kah. We had to pay for them twice a year regardless of what we planted. Now, the water rent is subsidized by the government in full.

Q7：Is water introduction (pilotage) much more convenient now than before?

A：Of course it is. Now, there are fewer rice growers and water supply is abundant. Recently, the work station has constructed a water pump station in Chingliao. Water that flows out of rice fields is pumped back to t he canal for reuse. Now, the water supply to rice fields in Baishtun, and Lujhutan is more abundant. Besides, almost every household has a water pump by the rice field. When there is inadequate water supply, the water pump will pump underground water or water from the river. It is not dependant on Irrigation Association actually.

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