The objectives of plant protection include crop pests and diseases ecology and related integrated control techniques, epidemic detection and monitoring and agrometeorological and crop-pest-and-disease forecasting, diagnosis, and prescription. Emphasis also have been laid on counseling and promotion of safe usage of agricultural chemicals. These job responsibilities are essential for promoting the development of the local agricultural industry as well as the sustainable use of environmental resources in the agricultural industry.

The clean and beautiful natural environment was the cornerstone of the promotion of organic Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS). Therefore, we introduced the concept of ecosystem service to stimulate the construction of farmland with hedgerows and to create a friendly environment. The promotion and interpretation education on farmland with hedgerows stimulated the development of more than 3,000 m of hedgerows on organic farmland,effectively increasing biodiversity by 20% and the number of beneficial natural enemies by 40%. In addition, we researched and developed an organic rice seedling cultivation technique, increasing the completeness of the organic rice cultivation system.

Regarding the research of crop pests and diseases and related integrated prevention, we studied the occurrence of serious pests and diseases such as rice blast, guava root-knot nematodes, stem blight and virus disease of chayote, phytophthora blight of green onion, and root mites, and developed integrated management techniques. Using the guava root-knot nematodes as an example,the use of the developed management techniques increased yield by 30% and engendered revenue of NT$45,000 per hectare. Concerning the whole-scale prevention of melon flies, fruit flies, and green onion pests, the combined use of insect traps and sex pheromones reduced pesticide use by 75%, enabling farmers to determine the optimal time to perform prevention and control, and preventing damage to pomelo fruits caused by oriental fruit flies by approximately 90%, indicating outstanding effectiveness.

Concerning crop pest and disease forecasting, we not only actively engage in epidemic detection and monitoring, but also perform annual agrometeorological observations and analyses. Weather forecasts and early warnings of crop pests and diseases are announced to provide farmers with information for adjusting farming operations and engaging in prevention and control in advance. Furthermore, a natural disaster communication platform was established; the Disaster Emergency Response Team for Agricultural Industry and the Recultivation and Rehabilitation Technology Service Group are dispatched at appropriate times to assist in disaster prevention and rehabilitation.

To create a safe production management system for agricultural products, we have promoted health management system of crops such as green onions, kumquats, and pomelos since 2011. The implementation areas total 163 ha, and the yield and quality of the crops have been effectively elevated. Using the pomelo industry as an example, the sweetness of the fruits increased from 10.1 °Bx to 11.2 °Bx, and the pesticide residue compliance rate reached 100%, which is beneficial to sales.