HUMAN RESOURCE DEMAND AND DETERMINANTS IN ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY AGRICULTURE: A CASE STUDY OF SUSTAINABLE FARMING IN TAIWAN
Authors: Chun-Nan Lin and Chih-Ching Chang
Chun-Nan Lin: Associate Professor, Department of Agribusiness Management, National Ping-Tung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan.
Chih-Ching Chang: Master’s Degree, Department of Agribusiness Management, National Ping-Tung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan.
ABSTRACT
The transformation of agriculture toward sustainable and environmentally friendly practices has created a growing demand for a specialized workforce capable of integrating traditional farming knowledge with modern agricultural technologies. This study investigates the human resource needs and influencing factors within Taiwan’s environment-friendly farming sector. Drawing on a comprehensive survey of 391 farmers, the research examines current workforce structures, recruitment challenges, talent retention issues, and future labor requirements across seven functional categories, including production, marketing, and R&D. The findings highlight that talent demand is shaped by a combination of policy support, market trends, and internal farm management factors. Key constraints include low salary levels, a lack of specialized training, and limited attractiveness of agricultural careers to younger generations. To bridge these gaps, the study recommends strategic investments in human capital development, enhanced policy incentives, adoption of smart farming technologies, and improvement of rural infrastructure. These insights offer a foundation for shaping agricultural workforce strategies and ensuring the resilience of eco-friendly agriculture in Taiwan.
Keywords: Environment-Friendly Farming; Sustainable Agriculture; Agricultural Human Resources; Talent Demand; Workforce Retention; Smart Farming; Policy Incentives; Taiwan Agriculture; Agricultural Labor Market; Rural Development