Dr. Wen-Lii Huang, Professor in the Department of Agronomy and Dean of Student Affairs at National Chiayi University (NCYU), has long been dedicated to agricultural research, teaching, and industry-academia collaboration. He was recently honored as one of the 50th National Top Ten Outstanding Agricultural Experts in recognition of his contributions to agriculture. Over nearly 25 years of dedication to agricultural research and higher education, Prof. Huang has not only advanced research in plant stress physiology and molecular breeding, but has also translated research achievements into tangible value for industry, helping bring Taiwanese agronomy onto the international stage.
Technological Breeding: The “NCYU-Tainan Series” of Rice Varieties Developed for Climate Resilience
Facing climate change and the risk of water scarcity, Prof. Huang has always believed, “A breeder’s true stage will always be in the field.” In collaboration with the Tainan District Agricultural Research and Extension Station under the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), Prof. Huang successfully developed Taiwan’s first batch of new rice varieties rigorously evaluated for drought tolerance and water conservation: “NCYU-Tainan No. 1” (Chia-Nan Zhenxiang), “NCYU-Tainan No. 2” (Chia-Nan Jingzhu), and “NCYU-Tainan Waxy No. 3” (Chia-Nan Nuobao). This achievement marked the first joint naming of new rice varieties by a university and an agricultural research and extension station in Taiwan, opening a new chapter in the nation’s rice breeding. Even with a 30% reduction in irrigation water, these rice varieties maintain stable yields and excellent eating quality. Among the three varieties, “NCYU-Tainan No. 1” features early maturity, a low glycemic index, and aromatic grain, offering exceptional eating quality. NCYU-Tainan No. 2 features plump grains and high yield potential, making it ideal for sake brewing. NCYU-Tainan Waxy No. 3 overcomes the traditional limitations of long cultivation periods and high water consumption in glutinous rice, becoming Taiwan’s first water-saving glutinous rice variety to be licensed for commercial cultivation. To date, these rice varieties have been licensed to five companies, generating NT$945,000 in licensing fees and industry value exceeding NT$80 million through commercial cultivation.
Advancing Net Zero: Pioneering Low-Carbon Agriculture and Expanding Taiwan’s International Influence
In response to the 2050 net-zero emissions target, Prof. Huang introduced Taiwan’s first Eddy Covariance Tower system for greenhouse gas measurement in rice fields, enabling precise carbon emissions inventories under different cultivation practices. Research findings show that the carbon footprint of packaged white rice produced from NCYU-Tainan No. 1 is only one-third that of comparable products, providing an empirical basis for low-carbon rice production in Taiwan. Internationally, Prof. Huang was elected Vice President of the Asian Crop Science Association (ACSA) and served as Chair of the Organizing Committee for the 11th Asian Crop Science Association Conference (ACSAC11) in 2025. The conference attracted more than 450 experts from 21 countries to Taiwan, significantly enhancing the global visibility of Taiwan’s agricultural research.
Creating Value: From Crop Production to High-Value Agricultural Value Chains
Prof. Huang firmly believes that “agriculture must go beyond production and develop value chains.” Guided by this philosophy, he has actively assisted licensed companies in developing a diverse range of high-value products, many of which are now available through leading retail channels such as MUJI. Among these products, “Crystal Pearl Beauty” Junmai Daiginjo, brewed from rice developed by NCYU, has received particular acclaim. It was selected as a premium product for the Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi and won a Gold Award at the 2026 Kura Master Sake Competition in France, demonstrating to the international community the world-class quality of sake brewed from Taiwanese rice. In agricultural risk management, Prof. Huang also helped the Tea Experiment Station establish the “Compensation Standards for Agricultural Insurance Covering Cold Damage to Tea Plants.” The research established the scientific threshold for a 20% crop damage rate (the one-bud-one-leaf stage, exposure to 0°C for three consecutive hours), providing farmers with a fairer and more scientifically sound basis for agricultural insurance claims following natural disasters.
Cultivating Talent: Nurturing Young Farmers and Fostering a Connection to the Land
Beyond his contributions to research and industry, Prof. Huang has also shown great dedication to agricultural education. Prof. Huang previously served as Director of NCYU’s Professional Bachelor Program of Farm Management, a MOA-funded program. To date, the program has trained more than 500 young professional farmers, with over 90 percent of graduates choosing careers in agriculture. This has helped address the challenges of an aging agricultural workforce and labor shortages in Taiwan. He also helped establish Taiwan’s first Ministry of Labor-accredited “Class C Tea Processing Technician Skills Test Site” on the NCYU campus. He guides students toward earning national certifications and leads them into disaster-affected areas and Indigenous communities. Following Typhoon Morakot in 2009, he provided technical guidance for the restoration of native crops in Chashan Village, Chiayi. He later collaborated with the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency to promote water-saving ecological rice cultivation in Taitung’s Duli Tribe. For Prof. Huang, the homegrown produce his students bring him is the greatest reward for nurturing talent.
From studying in the Department of Agronomy at National Chiayi Institute of Agriculture to earning his bachelor’s degree at National Chung Hsing University and his doctorate in agronomy at National Taiwan University, Prof. Huang has remained true to the agronomist’s mission: “We feed the world.” Raised in a farming family, Prof. Huang has served as a technician at the Food Agency, a researcher at an agricultural research and extension station, Department Chair, Director of General Affairs, and Dean of Student Affairs. Throughout his distinguished career, he has maintained an unwavering passion for the land. He emphasizes, “New technologies can support precision breeding, but a breeder’s true stage will always be in the field.” Being named one of the 50th National Top Ten Outstanding Agricultural Experts is the strongest affirmation of his contributions to industry-academia collaboration over the past twenty-five years. Looking ahead, Prof. Huang will continue working alongside his research team and students to advance agronomy while remaining committed to the land and to the sustainable development of Taiwan’s agriculture.
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1. President Lai Ching-te meets with the recipients of the 50th National Top
Ten Outstanding Agricultural Experts Award.
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2. Prof. Wen-Lii Huang is honored as one of the 50th National Top Ten
Outstanding Agricultural Experts.