To resolve the long standing lack of stable agricultural irrigation water in the Shuijing, Kunshan, Touping, and Erping areas of Xinshe District, the Water Resources Bureau of Taichung City Government, commissioned by the Irrigation Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, has continued to promote the Expanded Irrigation Service Project for Suitable Farmland Around the Baileng Canal. Through pumping water uphill and improving the irrigation system, the project will comprehensively enhance the stability of agricultural water supply. The Water Resources Bureau stated that the total project budget is approximately NT$500 million. The project is being carried out in five phases. Upon full completion, it is expected to add about 453 hectares of irrigated land and generate approximately NT$360 million in annual agricultural economic benefits, injecting long term momentum into agricultural development in Xinshe.
Shih-Yi Fan, Director of the Water Resources Bureau, stated that Mayor Shiow-Yen Lu places great importance on agricultural development in the Xinshe area and on farmers’ irrigation water needs. After the overall plan for this project was completed by the Irrigation Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Water Resources Bureau of Taichung City Government was entrusted with carrying out the project. Following the principle of putting people first and advancing steadily, the Bureau is using its engineering expertise to improve the long unstable agricultural water supply environment, so that farmers can cultivate with confidence, secure stable harvests, and advance sustainable agricultural development.
The Water Resources Bureau pointed out that the Baileng Canal Expanded Irrigation Service Project has been progressing steadily according to plan. The first phase pipeline project has already been completed. The second phase regulating pond project and the third phase pressurized water conveyance project are currently under construction and are expected to be completed before the end of 2026. The fourth and fifth phase projects will further extend the water conveyance system to the Shuijing, Kunshan, Touping, and Erping areas, expanding the irrigation service area. Basic design work has already been completed, and tendering is expected to be completed before the end of 2026, gradually establishing a complete and stable irrigation system.
To ensure that project planning better reflects actual local needs, the Water Resources Bureau recently held local briefing sessions on the basic design for the fourth and fifth phases. During the sessions, the Bureau explained the overall planning content, implementation schedule, and latest progress of the project, while also gathering opinions from farmers and local residents through face to face communication as important references for subsequent detailed design and project execution. At the same time, ecological checks and sustainable resilience concepts have been incorporated throughout the project process to strike a balance between irrigation efficiency and environmental conservation.
The Water Resources Bureau further stated that the Baileng Canal Expanded Irrigation Service Project will not only effectively improve the shortage of agricultural irrigation water in the Xinshe area, but also enhance farmland use efficiency and overall agricultural production conditions, making it crucial to stabilizing farmers’ incomes and promoting local agricultural development. The city government will continue to work closely with the Irrigation Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture and local communities to ensure that the project is completed on schedule and with quality, thereby fulfilling Mayor Lu’s policy vision of promoting agricultural sustainability and building a happy and livable city.
(3/5*10)*Water Resources Bureau
Contact: Water Resources Bureau, Taichung City Government
Contact No.: 04-22289111