Farm-level land diversity of smallholders with limited input resources during urbanization in Taiwan

Abstract

During urbanization in Taiwan, the input resources of farmland are always compressed by other land uses; the landscape diversity of small farms is emphasized in rural areas. To determine the extent to which diversity in farmland use corresponds with urbanization, a goal programming study was established. This was analysed by investigating several assumed options of diversification that are available to the smallholder. The results revealed that the existing pattern of land use among members of the Taoyuan Irrigation Association (TIA) is constrained mainly by the basic requirement for paddy fields. The value of the gross benefit of farmer could be reduced by 20 %, and that of landscape diversity could increase by 67 % in cases of which the paddy field is reduced for other land use through the optimal allocation of the studied land use was implemented. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the existing pattern of land use can survive the potential shortage of input resources to adapt urbanization through the diversified land use. Among the options for diversified land use, a varied landscape can be created that will both enrich the recreational space, and enhance the reasonable consumption of limited input resources in small farm.