CTCID Hosts International Forum: Global Experts Discuss the Evolution and Sustainable Management of Irrigation Organizations

Organized by the Chinese Taipei Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (CTCID), the annual International Forum on Irrigation and Drainage was held on July 9, 2026, at the Taiwan Research Institute on Water Resources and Agriculture (TRIWRA). Centered on the theme "The Evolution and Management of Regional Agricultural Irrigation Organizations and Institutions," the forum brought together experts and scholars from Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, India, and Indonesia. Amidst the growing challenges of climate change, participants engaged in in-depth dialogues regarding institutional evolution, management hurdles, and digital transformation experiences, aiming to establish more resilient frameworks for agricultural water resources.

During the keynote sessions, Lin Kuo-hua, Deputy Director-General of the Irrigation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, detailed the evolution and future outlook of Taiwan’s irrigation enterprises, tracing the journey from the Qing and Japanese colonial periods to the modern transition into a civil service system. Professor Jin-Yong Choi from Seoul National University shared Korea's experience in the development and transformation of agricultural water governance. Simultaneously, representatives from Thailand, India, and Indonesia provided insightful perspectives on community-based water management, technological applications, and the practical management of tidal lowland reclamation areas. These international exchanges highlighted global efforts to improve irrigation efficiency and respond to extreme weather, offering diverse viewpoints for Taiwan’s future policy development.

Beyond the indoor sessions, the field visit to Yunlin originally scheduled for July 10 was shared via a digital format due to safety concerns regarding an approaching typhoon [1, Conversation History]. The Yunlin Management Office of the Irrigation Agency prepared a comprehensive presentation detailing the unique design and construction of the "Zhuo Main Canal Beigang River Aqueduct". This project is a critical component in strengthening Taiwan’s agricultural water resilience and features several national milestones. Notably, it is the only aqueduct in the country capable of "bi-directional water transfer". By connecting the Zhuo Main Canal with the Northern Main Canal, it enhances cross-regional dispatch capabilities, increasing the annual usable water volume for the Zengwen-Wushantou Reservoir system by approximately 11 million tons.

In terms of structural engineering, the Beigang River Aqueduct is Taiwan's first and only cable-stayed aqueduct, featuring the nation’s longest span of 210.5 meters. Its tower design, inspired by the motif of "Celebrating Harvest," has created a new landmark on the border of Yunlin and Chiayi. Furthermore, the project integrates with the 105-kilometer national "Waterway Green Belt" cycling path; by positioning the path at an elevated level, it offers cyclists expansive views, successfully transforming a functional irrigation facility into a public space that combines aesthetics with recreation. International guests were deeply impressed by Taiwan's leading technology and innovative design in reinforcing inter-basin water management.

CTCID President Ray Wu stated that this annual exchange serves as a pivotal platform for enhancing the international visibility of Taiwan’s irrigation sector. By collaborating closely with members of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), Taiwan will continue to leverage new technologies and innovative thinking to deepen reforms and expand irrigation services. Looking ahead, CTCID remains committed to working with global partners to promote climate-resilient agricultural development and build sustainable, world-class irrigation enterprises

 Organized by the Chinese Taipei Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (CTCID), the annual International Forum on Irrigation and Drainage was held on July 9, 2026, at the Taiwan Research Institute on Water Resources and Agriculture (TRIWRA). Centered on the theme "The Evolution and Management of Regional Agricultural Irrigation Organizations and Institutions," the forum brought together experts and scholars from Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, India, and Indonesia. Amidst the growing challenges of climate change, participants engaged in in-depth dialogues regarding institutional evolution, management hurdles, and digital transformation experiences, aiming to establish more resilient frameworks for agricultural water resources.

During the keynote sessions, Lin Kuo-hua, Deputy Director-General of the Irrigation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, detailed the evolution and future outlook of Taiwan’s irrigation enterprises, tracing the journey from the Qing and Japanese colonial periods to the modern transition into a civil service system. Professor Jin-Yong Choi from Seoul National University shared Korea's experience in the development and transformation of agricultural water governance. Simultaneously, representatives from Thailand, India, and Indonesia provided insightful perspectives on community-based water management, technological applications, and the practical management of tidal lowland reclamation areas. These international exchanges highlighted global efforts to improve irrigation efficiency and respond to extreme weather, offering diverse viewpoints for Taiwan’s future policy development.

Beyond the indoor sessions, the field visit to Yunlin originally scheduled for July 10 was shared via a digital format due to safety concerns regarding an approaching typhoon [1, Conversation History]. The Yunlin Management Office of the Irrigation Agency prepared a comprehensive presentation detailing the unique design and construction of the "Zhuo Main Canal Beigang River Aqueduct". This project is a critical component in strengthening Taiwan’s agricultural water resilience and features several national milestones. Notably, it is the only aqueduct in the country capable of "bi-directional water transfer". By connecting the Zhuo Main Canal with the Northern Main Canal, it enhances cross-regional dispatch capabilities, increasing the annual usable water volume for the Zengwen-Wushantou Reservoir system by approximately 11 million tons.

In terms of structural engineering, the Beigang River Aqueduct is Taiwan's first and only cable-stayed aqueduct, featuring the nation’s longest span of 210.5 meters. Its tower design, inspired by the motif of "Celebrating Harvest," has created a new landmark on the border of Yunlin and Chiayi. Furthermore, the project integrates with the 105-kilometer national "Waterway Green Belt" cycling path; by positioning the path at an elevated level, it offers cyclists expansive views, successfully transforming a functional irrigation facility into a public space that combines aesthetics with recreation. International guests were deeply impressed by Taiwan's leading technology and innovative design in reinforcing inter-basin water management.

CTCID President Ray Wu stated that this annual exchange serves as a pivotal platform for enhancing the international visibility of Taiwan’s irrigation sector. By collaborating closely with members of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), Taiwan will continue to leverage new technologies and innovative thinking to deepen reforms and expand irrigation services. Looking ahead, CTCID remains committed to working with global partners to promote climate-resilient agricultural development and build sustainable, world-class irrigation enterprises