To enhance millet growers’ seedling cultivation and transplanting techniques and to push with the development of special crops in Indigenous communities in the East Rift Valley, the Taitung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station (TTDARES) held the Millet Seedling Farming and Mechanized Cultivation Demonstration Course on August 4 in Chishang, which was attended by 23 farmers. TTDARES Director Chen Hsin-yen stated that millet is an important staple in the Taiwanese Indigenous people’s diet and a special type of grain. Traditionally, it has been grown through manual labor, so to reduce production costs and energy, the TTDARES has promoted new seedling cultivation techniques and mechanization, increasing Indigenous people’s willingness to grow the crop. TTDARES assistant researcher Chang Fang-kuei spoke at the event on seedling cultivation and transplanting techniques, gave a related demonstration, and allowed participants some hands-on practice. The series of classes served as a clear guide for participants in mechanizing their cultivation of millet.
