Joyful Completion of Yonglin Organic Farm Sets an International Example for Industry Reconstruction

2011-12-01

Located in Kaohsiung’s Shanlin Da Ai Community permanent housing base, the Yonglin Organic Farm is an exemplary project where the Executive Yuan’s Morakot Post-Disaster Reconstruction Council coordinated private resources, governmental resources, and the Foxconn Group to aid industry reconstruction in a disaster area. On the afternoon of December 1st, the farm held its opening ceremony as related governmental units and permanent housing residents greeted this moment with grateful, joyful hearts. At the same time, this signifies new hope and direction for the reconstruction area, so that the establishment of this organic farm and example of corporatized agricultural operations becomes a classic story of how private corporations took part in post-disaster reconstruction.

After the Typhoon Morakot disaster, the Reconstruction Council, various government departments, and private organizations immediately began planning and constructing permanent housing bases for disaster victims to resettle and continue one with their livelihoods. With the proactive assistance of Terry Gou, the president of the Foxconn Group, the Foxconn Yonglin Foundation was asked to plan out the Yonglin Shanlin Organic Farm. The vision behind the plans for the farm incorporates the concept of BOPT, which is using the four steps of Build, Operate, Profit, and Transfer. This is further divided into stages such as preliminary planning and design, construction, production preparations, and production operations. NT$600 million is invested, and operations will be turned over to the local government in 6 years, once operations become profitable, to achieve self-sufficient operations.

The Yonglin Shanlin Organic Farm is mainly production-oriented, supplemented with service oriented recreation experience. Although the process of setting up the agricultural section was grueling, with the active coordination of the Reconstruction Council, dedicated efforts of the Foxconn Yonglin Foundation, and expedited administrative procedures in central and local government organizations, eventually all obstacles were eliminated. The implementation and construction of related facilities in the agricultural section is now complete, providing residents from the permanent housing base with training and employment in the organic farming industry. The farm now employs 114 people (with 96% of employees being residents in the reconstruction area). This represents support for more than a hundred families in their new start here, aiding residents to create a wonderful future vision through their own strength.

There was a multitude of honored guests at the December 1st event, including the president of the Legislative Yuan Wang Jin-pyng, CEO of the Reconstruction Council Lin Join-sane, Deputy CEO Chern Jenn-Chuan, deputy mayor of Kaohsiung City Lee Yung-te, former Kaohsiung county magistrate Yang Chiu-hsing, president of the Foxconn Group Terry Gou, consultant Liu Jui-huang, executive director Qi Ning of the Foxconn Yonglin Foundation, and various local figures. In addition to recognizing the various efforts that the Reconstruction Council, central and local governments, and other related units have made towards reconstruction, the attendees also expressed their respect for the love and care which Foxconn Group has invested into reconstruction. President Gou of the Foxconn Group and chairman Huang of the Foxconn Yonglin Foundation both greeted the arrival of this moment with welcome, grateful hearts. They hope that permanent housing residents working in the farm will soon take an active role in helping others, after receiving this timely assistance.

During his dedication Lin Join-sane, CEO of the Reconstruction Council, stated that the gradual completion of various facilities at Yonglin Organic Farm and organic product cultivated represents gradual actualization of the effort and love that president Gou initially invested. The farm is the most successful example whether in scale or technique of its kind in Taiwanese organic farming. In addition to providing employment in the current stage, in the future these resource technologies can be transferred to those residing in the permanent housing base and surrounding regions so that they may thrive and develop at the new base. This model may also be replicated in other areas of Taiwan so that Taiwan may enjoy a healthier agricultural environment and a more lively economy.

CEO Lin especially recognized director Lee Wei-yu of Yonglin Organic Farm and former chairman of the Council of Agriculture Paul Sun for providing their professional knowledge in the establishment of the farm. He also recognized the 14 special meetings which Deputy CEO Chern called to speed up the formation of the agricultural area. He also applauded the fact that the employees of Yonglin Shanlin Organic Farm are no longer victims anymore, but professional technicians in the organic farming industry. In the future, they will be able to bring this practical knowledge and expertise back to the tribe in the creation of their own organic farms.

Lastly, CEO Lin thanked Foxconn Group profusely for its kindness and the dedicated efforts of all the staff present in creating the largest scale organic farm in Taiwan. This enables care for this plot of land with professional, modern agricultural business concepts which ensure a happier, healthier tomorrow for us and the next generation.
 

Official launch of Yonglin Shanlin Organic Farm today

 

ILaunch of Yonglin Shanlin Organic Farm today

 

Founder Terry Guo tours the Yonglin Shanlin Organic Farm

 

IGroup photo of Yonglin Shanlin Organic Farm Founder Terry Guo with farm staff

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