National Chiayi University has long been dedicated to agricultural research and development. Prof. Huang Wen-Lii from the Department of Agronomy has supported seed breeding and guided the Amis people of the Duli tribe in Taitung in planting. Associate Prof. Chia-Wen Hsieh from the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biopharmaceuticals assisted in brewing research, while Prof. Hsiao Chih-Hui from the Department of Marketing and Tourism Management contributed to packaging and marketing. After overcoming challenges for more than a year, the team successfully launched the new sake "Dita Ginjo" in 2024, crafted with NCYU Tainan No. 2 Rice as its main raw material. It is now available in MUJI Taiwan stores.
In November 2021, Professors Huang Wen-Lii and Liu Chii-Dong from NCYU's Department of Agronomy, in collaboration with the Tainan District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, developed three rice varieties: NCYU Tainan No. 1, No. 2, and NCYU Tainan Glutinous Rice No. 3. These varieties require only 70% of the water typically used for conventional rice cultivation. In June 2022, NCYU signed a memorandum of cooperation with MUJI Taiwan to jointly promote eco-friendly farming and environmental sustainability, taking practical steps to protect and cherish Taiwan's land. Since the partnership, several popular products have been successfully developed.
To the south of the Duli tribe in Taitung County, adjacent to Taiwan Provincial Highway 11, lies an area named 'dita' (pronounced as 'lita'), a traditional settlement of the Amis people. Nourished by perennial springs, this land features dark, organic-rich soil, and is highly adhesive, making it ideal for rice farming. In 2023, NCYU Tainan No. 1 and No. 2 rice varieties were introduced for cultivation to this pristine area, home to the Duli tribe, thanks to the coordination of the Tainan District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, Taitung Branch, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, the Taitung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, and the Big Man Agricultural Cooperative.
The Duli tribe employs eco-friendly farming practices, which, though costly, yield relatively low harvests. During the first year of trial planting in 2023, only 1,400 kilograms of rice were harvested. Sake, a popular choice for gifting and personal enjoyment in Taiwan, owes its aroma, flavor, and texture largely to the choice of rice. NCYU Tainan No. 2 Rice, also known as Jianan Crystal Rice, features small, round grains with low protein content, resembling sake rice, making it an excellent choice for brewing distilled beverages with a refreshing aroma and smooth taste. To enhance the added value of rice grown in the Duli Tribe and increase farmers' income, faculty and students from NCYU's College of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, and College of Management worked collaboratively across 220 kilometers with the indigenous community to develop the high-quality domestic sake, "Dita Ginjo."
NCYU President Han-Chien Lin emphasized that the creation of a fine
processed food product is no easy feat, requiring collective wisdom and effort.
From the water-saving rice varieties developed by NCYU's Department of Agronomy
to the pesticide-free, eco-friendly farming methods adopted by the Amis people
of the Duli Tribe in the vibrant land of dita, the sake was carefully produced
and brewed by Yudo Distillery & Winery Co., Ltd. in Yilan, eventually
making its way to the shelves of MUJI Taiwan. The faculty and students of NCYU
have collaborated across disciplines to launch the premium sake 'Dita Ginjo,'
which is also a new product developed from NCYU Tainan No. 2 Rice, following
its previous use in rice crackers. Amid the declining rice consumption in
Taiwan, it is urgent to develop a variety of rice-based products to boost
domestic consumption.
Photo 1: NCYU collaborated with the
indigenous tribe to develop Taiwan's first eco-friendly premium domestic sake,
'Dita Ginjo,' created through the practice of Satoyama, a lifestyle focused on
sustainable, nature-friendly living.
Photo 2: Prof. Huang Wen-Lii delivered his
remarks.
Photo 3: Lush paddy fields in the Duli
Satoyama Ecological Park.
Photo 4: NCYU Tainan No. 1 and No. 2 rice varieties are cultivated in the Duli tribe, surrounded by beautiful mountains and rivers.