July 8, 2025 – Tainan, Taiwan — The destructive winds brought by Typhoon Danas have severely impacted agricultural areas in Tainan, with Madou District’s famed pomelo orchards suffering catastrophic damage. Out of the 840 hectares planted with pomelos in the region, almost all fruit has fallen prematurely, leaving farmers devastated.
“I want to cry, but I don’t even have the eyes to do so,” said one heartbroken fruit grower, echoing the widespread sentiment among local farmers. This year’s pomelo production was reportedly strong, with many regular customers placing orders early. However, the typhoon arrived just weeks before harvest, wiping out most of the crop.
Majority of Pomelo Harvest Destroyed
Li Jiahan, a fruit farmer cultivating around 3 hectares of pomelo trees in the Anye area of Madou, shared the extent of the destruction. “This year’s fruit-setting rate was promising, but the storm ruined everything,” he lamented. After the typhoon, only 10% to 20% of the pomelo fruits remained intact in his orchard.
Farmers rushed to their orchards for cleanup, with plans to bring in equipment to sterilize and disinfect the area organically within the next few days. Li expressed concern that without immediate disinfection, the trees might suffer further damage, and more fruits could drop in the coming days.
Li also noted that cleanup will take at least a week. “We were preparing for harvest in a month with orders already filled. Now, we have to contact customers, adjust delivery schedules, and assess what little crop we have left.” He estimates his losses to be around NT$1 million.
Government and Military Support Mobilized
Madou District Chief Yang Zhengju confirmed that the district’s pomelo planting spans approximately 840 hectares, typically yielding around 21 million kilograms annually. “This typhoon has caused massive fruit drop and serious economic losses for our farmers,” Yang said.
In response, about 160 personnel from the national army have been deployed to assist with disaster cleanup in key areas with dense pomelo plantations—such as Anzheng, Anye, Pitou, and Beishi. Farmers are being asked to gather the fallen fruits at designated points for transport and burial by military and cleaning teams.
One local grower commented, “Having the army assist with transport is a big help—it eases some of our burden.”
Relief Measures Announced
The Tainan City Agriculture Bureau announced that the Ministry of Agriculture has designated Tainan as a disaster relief area for all crops (excluding rice), fishing vessels in port areas, and forestry by-products such as bamboo shoots.
Eligible farmers may apply for disaster assistance at their respective district offices from July 8 to July 21 during regular working hours. Applicants are advised to bring valid documents, such as land registration and identification.
Additionally, farmers can document crop damage using the Ministry of Agriculture’s mobile app, Agricultural Industry Natural Disaster On-Site Photography APP. This allows them to photograph and report losses directly, streamlining the claims process for financial aid.
As Tainan begins recovery efforts, farmers face the difficult task of salvaging what little remains of this year’s crop. The emotional and financial toll on the region’s pomelo growers will likely linger well beyond the storm’s passing.
