Rising with Bamboo in Chiayi

When it comes to Chiayi’s natural landscapes, the coastal views of Dongshi and Budai or the majestic peaks of Alishan usually come to mind. However, Chiayi is more than Alishan; it’s also home to Taiwan’s most extensive bamboo forests. Known internationally for its scenic bamboo tunnels, Chiayi was once Taiwan’s leader in bamboo exports and a key industry hub for bamboo baskets, furniture, and charcoal. Beyond its tourism appeal, Chiayi’s bamboo resources play a vital role in economic development. Through ongoing bamboo renewal and industry development initiatives, Chiayi is rekindling memories of its past glory and reviving the region’s vibrant bamboo culture.

National Chung Cheng University’s Giant Grass Green Gold- Bamboo Go Go Go! Project

National Chung Cheng University has launched the Giant Grass Green Gold- Bamboo Go Go Go! The project will start with Chiayi’s local bamboo industry and expand toward co-prosperity in Taiwan’s entire bamboo sector. Embracing the concept of “”bamboo as an alternative to plastic,”” the project aims to expand to international markets. This initiative aligns with the UN SDGs Goal 12  (ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns) by advancing bamboo reuse and revitalizing the entire bamboo industry value chain.

Life as a Laboratory

At National Chung Cheng University, students not only learn about bamboo’s properties and the heritage of the bamboo industry through campus courses but also engage in hands-on experiences at specialized labs both on and off campus. The Bamboo Technology Life Lab at Tranquility Lake and the Bamboo Charcoal Technology Life Lab provide platforms for both learning and practical application. Through these resources, students have developed a keen interest in real-world applications and engaged in cross-disciplinary collaborations with peers in countries like India and Indonesia, yielding diverse innovations, including microbial bamboo charcoal filters, bamboo charcoal air purifiers, and composite bamboo charcoal water filters.

Can Bamboo Charcoal Tackle Fisheries Issues?

Taiwan’s frequent typhoons and floods often degrade the water quality of aquaculture ponds, leading to common diseases among fish and shrimp stocks, particularly grouper and shrimp diseases. In response to viral and bacterial threats, National Chung Cheng University collaborated with Chiayi’s local industry, sourcing waste bamboo from Zhuci and Dalin Townships to create bamboo charcoal probiotics. These probiotics were then distributed to fish farms in Dongshi and Budai as an alternative feed additive. The result? Delayed onset of disease among fish, a significant boost in aquaculture production, and much-needed livelihood support for local fishers.

Recognizing the need to expand their impact, the university partnered with private enterprises to scale up probiotic production, providing additional support for fishers affected by photovoltaic panels shading their ponds. The widespread use of these probiotics not only enhanced pond management but also improved nutrient intake among fish, reducing mortality rates and substantially increasing fishers’ income and economic stability.