# Taiwanese Tea Growers Combat Climate Change Through Natural Farming Methods Alishan farmers shift to organic practices as rising temperatures threaten traditional oolong production. - **Source:** [Mongabay](https://news.mongabay.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [climate](https://brifing.si/c/climate) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/3a5dac43-0522-476b-84e4-b00d95305f2e ## Production Decline in Alishan Between 2014 and 2023, tea production in Taiwan's high-altitude Alishan region plummeted by 13.5 percent. This significant drop is attributed to severe environmental pressures and ongoing soil degradation. Farmers are now struggling to maintain yields of their prized oolong tea as traditional cultivation methods face unprecedented challenges from a rapidly changing local climate. ## Accelerated Regional Warming Alishan has experienced a temperature increase of 0.7 degrees Celsius over the last decade, a rate nearly triple the national average for Taiwan. This warming trend causes essential mountain mist to dissipate prematurely. Without this natural shade and moisture, tea leaves are exposed to harsher sunlight, directly impacting the quality and volume of harvests. ## Intensified Spring Drought Cycles Spring droughts have become a recurring crisis for local growers, with farmers experiencing two or three severe dry spells within the last five years alone. These droughts occur during the most critical growth phase for tea plants. Additionally, heavy winter rainfall and subsequent landslides further damage crops, complicating the recovery of agricultural land. ## Chemical Impact on Soil Long-term reliance on chemical fertilizers has rendered the soil in many tea plantations increasingly acidic. Experts note that this chemical dependency has significantly reduced the availability of vital nutrients required for healthy plant development. The resulting soil degradation makes tea crops more vulnerable to the extreme weather patterns currently affecting the mountainous region. ## Pioneering Natural Farming Transitions Lin Kuang-li, a sixth-generation tea grower in Longyanlin village, began transitioning away from synthetic pesticides thirty years ago. By adopting natural farming techniques, he has successfully rehabilitated his land. His approach serves as a practical model for other farmers currently seeking ways to adapt their operations to the harsh, shifting environmental realities of Taiwan. ## Green Manure and Moisture To improve soil health, Lin utilizes alfalfa as green manure and spreads cut branches across the ground to retain essential topsoil moisture. These organic methods enhance the soil's structural capacity to absorb and drain water effectively. Such techniques provide a stark contrast to the performance of soil treated with traditional chemical fertilizers. ## Nature-Based Adaptation Strategies The shift toward wild cultivation and nature-based solutions represents a strategic pivot for the Alishan tea industry. By prioritizing soil health over chemical-driven yields, farmers aim to build long-term resilience against unpredictable weather. This transition reflects a broader movement among agricultural producers to align farming practices with the natural ecological cycles of mountains. ## Future Outlook for Oolong The survival of high-altitude oolong production depends on the widespread adoption of these sustainable practices. As climate pressures continue to mount, the success of early adopters like Lin provides a blueprint for the industry. Future stability will likely require balancing traditional agricultural heritage with modern, environmentally conscious techniques to ensure long-term viability. ## Sources covering this story - https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/11/taiwans-tea-growers-adapt-to-climate-change-by-letting-nature-take-control/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._