On April 2, the Irrigation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, held a completion ceremony for the Puzi River Aqueduct Reconstruction Project in Chiayi County. The ceremony was hosted by Deputy Minister Hu of the Ministry of Agriculture, with Chiayi County Magistrate Weng, Director General Tsai of the Irrigation Agency, and local farmers’ representatives in attendance. The central and local officials jointly announced the completion of the project ahead of schedule.
Strengthening Water Delivery Resilience in the Face of Climate Change
Deputy Minister Hu stated that the Ministry of Agriculture is committed to making Taiwan’s agriculture a resilient and sustainable industry, while transforming farmers into highly skilled professionals. The Irrigation Agency continues to enhance agricultural infrastructure to provide farmers with a stable water supply, enabling them to farm with peace of mind and improve their income.
The Puzi River Aqueduct is a critical component of Chiayi’s irrigation system, supporting 8,502 hectares of farmland across the townships of Dongshi, Liujiao, Xingang, Minxiong, and Xikou. The aqueduct supplies irrigation water for rice, grains, vegetables, and fruit production. However, due to increasing climate change impacts, frequent earthquakes, and land subsidence, the aging structure began to show signs of leakage and insufficient flood resistance, requiring urgent reconstruction.
The Irrigation Agency launched the aqueduct reconstruction project and, despite facing two flood seasons, three typhoons, and multiple earthquakes above magnitude 4 during construction, the project was completed five months ahead of schedule, demonstrating strong execution capabilities. Looking ahead, Magistrate Weng aims to transform the surrounding area into a multifunctional site incorporating education, leisure, and tourism, blending local agricultural culture with water infrastructure to deepen farmers’ engagement. Deputy Minister Hu emphasized the importance of aligning Taiwan’s agricultural water management development with global standards and sharing achievements through international exchanges. He expressed hope that this infrastructure will become a shared asset for future generations and contribute to sustainable agriculture and intergenerational well-being.
Modernizing Agricultural Water Management Systems and Laying the Foundation for a Century Long Development
Magistrate Weng noted that agriculture in Chiayi depends heavily on a reliable irrigation network. The upgraded Puzi River Aqueduct represents a dual enhancement in both disaster prevention and water supply capacity, which is essential for farming and food security. He added, "Water for irrigation signifies wealth because it facilitates better crop cultivation. Therefore, agricultural water management infrastructure is exceptionally vital for Taiwan." Reflecting on his visits to Central America, Magistrate Weng shared that local officials highly praised Taiwan’s well established agricultural water management systems, acknowledging them as the result of decades of dedicated effort. In addition to upgrading the aqueduct, this project also included the construction of a cycling path and a scenic rest platform, integrating landscape, recreation, culture, and environmental elements.
A Model Irrigation Project Focused on Three Key Performance Enhancements
The reconstruction project was designed to strengthen three core functions: seismic resistance, flood resilience, and long term durability. The bridge foundation was engineered based on hydrological calculations to withstand a 100 year flood, with elevation space reserved to accommodate future land subsidence and maintenance needs. This ensures the agricultural water management infrastructure remains stable and adaptable over time. The Ministry of Agriculture will continue investing in the renewal of aging water management facilities to modernize Chiayi’s irrigation system and enhance its efficiency and adaptability in response to future challenges.
Advancing Resilient Agricultural Infrastructure for Sustainable Development
Facing the growing threats of climate change, the Ministry of Agriculture will uphold the President’s vision of promoting “Happy Agriculture, Joyful Farmers.” Looking ahead, the ministry will apply innovative thinking and cutting edge technologies to continue upgrading the main and branch canals of the Chianan Irrigation System, including smart water quality management and precision irrigation applications. This will enhance the resilience of Chiayi's agricultural water supply, ensuring reliable irrigation for farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural development.