“From Healing Platform to Tribal Economy”: The Young Initiators of Tribal Egg Production
In Hongye Village, located at the southernmost tip of Wanrong Township, there is a passionate group of tribe members who are actively promoting the “Local Friendly Egg Organization” project to bring new vitality to the tribe. Combining multiple elements such as intergenerational cooperation, cultural heritage, elder employment and care, and friendly farming, they have created a vibrant cooperative model.
Currently, Yaping, the manager of the “Hongye Welfare Egg Production Cooperative Balung Ihownang” (hereinafter referred to as the Cooperative), carefully explains the current situation of the tribal cooperative. Neighbors greet her warmly, and she effortlessly leads us in and out of residents’ private spaces to check on the chicken coops and chat about everyday life. If you didn’t know better, you might think Yaping, who is from Taipei, is a true Hongye native.
Yuefunan Tribe in Hongye Village, Wanrong Township, is a unique place. In addition to having hot spring resources, it is also a key production area for the Taroko tribe’s traditional spice, “mqrig” (mountain pepper). However, like other tribes, the industrial structure here is dominated by outsiders, leading to issues such as the loss of young local labor, labor shortages, low prices, and insufficient marketing.
Yaping’s connection with the Hongye tribe began during the Cooperative’s preparation period in 2019. At the time, she was involved in a USR (University Social Responsibility) project at Tzu Chi University, assisting in the establishment of an “Consumer Cooperative” and connecting with the Cooperative’s chairman, Lin Ronghui, to promote Hongye eggs. She also planned small trips themed around mqrig (mountain pepper). Although the trips did not materialize, she met many local contacts and assisted local weaving artist Lin Jiewen in promoting the “Dungku Asang”
After the USR project ended, coinciding with the National Development Council’s “Youth Empowerment Workstation” project, she naturally joined the “We Are Here Cultural and Art Studio” team led by Jiewen. She continued to participate in promoting local weaving culture and art.
Years of deep cultivation have established a strong emotional connection between her and Yuefunan Tribe/Hongye Village.
Healing and Livelihood: The Story Behind Hongye Tribal Egg Cooperative
In May 2023, as the Youth Empowerment Project was about to end, Yaping, who originally intended to leave, decided to stay. The previous Cooperative manager resigned due to illness, leaving many challenging tasks to be handled, such as building public chicken coops, negotiating with tribal chicken farmers about coop cooperation and adjustments, and introducing new chickens.
These tasks required a combination of breeding techniques, coop design, and local communication skills, making it difficult for a newcomer to take over. Therefore, Yaping decided to stay.
Last year, under the Indigenous Peoples Commission’s Industry 2.0 Project, the Cooperative originally cooperated with 10 chicken farmers. As breeding techniques and marketing gradually improved, in January 2024, the Cooperative began selling eggs and increased the number of chicken farmers to 14. The production and sales process, including breeding, communication guidance, quality control, customer management, and sales, is complex and cannot be managed by one person alone.
Therefore, the Cooperative applied for the Ministry of Labor’s Diverse Employment Program. Currently, there are five full-time employees, most of whom are local young people, each fulfilling their roles to accomplish this tribal business together.
“It’s not just about selling products; it’s about taking care of our members!” says Yaping. One of the founding purposes of the Cooperative was to increase the income of tribal elders, bringing their past chicken farming skills back into their lives, allowing them to continue to be useful. The second purpose was to create a platform for mutual assistance, healing, and social interaction through joint production.
For example, when it’s time to collect eggs, if an elder is unwell, other members help out. When counselors audit the chicken coops, they don’t just ask the elders to improve the environment or farming methods; they also chat to understand their current situation, continually assess their health, the suitability of continuing to raise chickens, and the possibility of increasing or decreasing the number of chickens.
This job is not just a job; it is a way of life that involves interacting with the local community.
Surviving Adversity: The Development Challenges of the Tribal Egg Cooperative
The Cooperative’s nontoxic eggs are raised using free-range methods, without antibiotics or drugs, and are sold at a higher price compared to the general market. The Cooperative buys eggs from tribal elders at 11 NT dollars each. Due to the high costs, it is unlikely to sell through farmers’ associations or supermarket channels, so they have to develop their own sales channels.
Currently, the marketing relies on the chairman’s connections, such as the FJU Professional Development Center, 50+1 Social Enterprise, and BCC Good Products Market. They have also established social media pages and communication groups to build their own customer base and management system. They are also trying to develop small trips combined with egg farming, DIY experiences, and egg cooking to diversify the cultural and industrial aspects of egg farming.
Guardians of Tribal Scenery: The Story of Each Chicken Coop
In traditional Taroko culture, chicken farming plays an important role. Every household raised chickens, which were not only a source of food but also important companions growing up with tribe members. Children learned to respect life and care for nature through their close interaction with chickens from a young age.
However, with modernization, traditional culture gradually faded. Chicken farming is no longer a daily practice in the tribe, and many precious cultural aspects are being lost.
These chicken coops are meticulously designed to not only effectively reduce odors but also blend into the tribal landscape, becoming a beautiful scenery. Additionally, the Cooperative organizes various activities to teach children how to care for chickens and understand the value of life.
By reviving chicken farming culture, they reviving chicken farming culture not only reclaim tradition but also breathe new life into the tribe.
- Photos provided by: “Hualien County Hongye Welfare Egg Production Cooperative”.
- Those who are interested in ordering Hongye Welfare Eggs can click on the Facebook and Instagram links on the information page or scan the QR code below with their mobile phones to join their LINE group for easier subscription.
