Press Release from Taoyuan District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, Ministry of Agriculture

Taoyuan District Agricultural Research and Extension Station Introduces “Urban Farming Hub” – Your Personal Cultivation Consultant

November 15, 2024

　　“Tired of being a plant killer? Eager to harvest gardening skills? Want to join the IG trend of growing flowers and vegetables?” Taoyuan District Agricultural Research and Extension Station of the Ministry of Agriculture (hereafter referred to as Taoyuan DARES) has heard your wishes! After three years of literature collection, research trials, and illustrated guides, Taoyuan DARES has developed a user-friendly urban farming and plant care information platform, “Urban Farming Hub(種菜芳城市).” This platform covers scientific and practical information for 160 common crops, guiding users through crop selection, planting, water management, and eco-friendly pest control, transforming itself into your cultivation consultant.

　　Taoyuan DARES stated that to meet the public’s need for everyday greenery and therapeutic activities, the “Urban Farming Hub” platform was created. By using the platform's filters to input planting difficulty, seasonal preferences, and light conditions, users can instantly access suitable crop suggestions and cultivation tips. The platform provides comprehensive information, including pot size recommendations, planting seasons, harvesting timelines, ideal light conditions, watering practices, and common pests and diseases. This makes it an excellent tool for gardening enthusiasts of all levels and participants in agri-food education.

　　According to Taoyuan DARES, the “Urban Farming Hub” integrates the station’s achievements in agri-food education and urban agriculture into a digital platform featuring three key components:

　　1."Urban Crop Selection Tool": A searchable database categorizing crops into six levels of light requirements (low, moderate, and high light intensities). This tool helps users select crops best suited to their specific urban environments.

　　2."Optimal Irrigation Models for Urban Farming": A classification system defining four irrigation modes (low-moisture, moderate-moisture, high-moisture, and dry-wet cycles). Paired with the station's Wi-Fi-enabled soil moisture sensors and irrigation control devices, users can adapt watering practices to environmental changes and plant needs for precise growth management.

　　3."Urban Pest and Disease Identification Tool 2.0": Featuring real-life images, this teaching aid helps users identify symptoms of pest and disease issues and provides eco-friendly prevention tips and step-by-step treatment guidelines. This module covers more than 30 common crop diseases and pests in urban farming.

　　Additionally, Taoyuan DARES compiled over 4,000 pieces of technical articles into a “Urban Farming Plant Care Database” as the foundation for the “Urban Farming Hub” platform, available at https://ufarming.kiaofarming.com/Home.

　　Taoyuan DARES emphasizes that as Taiwan transitions into a super-aged society in 2025 and embraces the era of artificial intelligence, urban gardening can ease psychological anxieties, promote mental well-being, and enrich lives. With the “Urban Farming Hub,” users can access accurate cultivation guides, much like referencing recipes while cooking. This platform brings the joy of planting and ensures fruitful harvests!

Contact Information

Spokesperson: Deputy Director Yang-Jen Fu,Tel: 03-4768216 ext. 101　Mobile: 0919-872010

Shulin Branch Station: Associate Researcher Ya-Ching Yang,Tel: 02-26801841 ext. 105

Agricultural Extension Section: Associate Researcher Shing-Jong Lay,Tel: 03-4768216 ext. 410

Figure 1. “Urban Farming Hub” Crop Recommendations - Users can explore nine categories of crops, directly selecting a category to access the next-level crop list or utilizing the filter tool to search for suitable crop types.

Figure 2. Flowering and Fruiting Crops - Partial Page on Cherry Tomato Information

The page presents key cultivation tips for cherry tomatoes using visually organized information for ease of understanding.

Figure 3. Cultivation Calendar for Root and Tuber Crops: Radish -

This figure illustrates the cultivation calendar for radish, using either seasonal months or the number of days after planting as the timeline. Key cultivation and management tasks are marked accordingly.

Figure 4. Pest and Disease Management Calendar for Root and Tuber Crops: Radish -

This figure presents the pest and disease management calendar for radish, using either seasonal months or the number of days after planting as the timeline. Key recommendations for pest and disease control are highlighted at critical periods.

Figure 5. "Urban Farming Hub" - Step-by-Step Guidance for Identifying Pests and Diseases in the "Plant Clinic." This figure demonstrates how the "Plant Clinic" feature within the "Urban Farming Hub" platform provides step-by-step guidance to help users identify various pest and disease types effectively.

Figure 6. "Urban Farming Hub" - "Plant Clinic" Covering Over 30 Common Pest and Disease Types: This figure highlights the comprehensive scope of the "Plant Clinic" feature in the "Urban Farming Hub," which includes detailed information on identifying and managing more than 30 common pests and diseases.

Figure 7. "Urban Farming Hub" - "Plant Clinic" Recommends Eco-Friendly and Safe Control Materials with Detailed Application Steps.This figure showcases the "Plant Clinic" feature in the "Urban Farming Hub," which provides recommendations for eco-friendly and safe pest and disease control materials, along with step-by-step application instructions to ensure effective and sustainable management.