Guava expert Fang Han-ming – innovation and respect for the aged

Always wearing a smile, easy-going Fang Han-ming (方漢明) has retained the habit of growing soft guavas since his uncle’s generation. Even though economically speaking the traditional soft guava is anything but profitable, Fang Han-ming is very much aware of just how much old people love them, and therefore continued to grow the variety, ensuring that in each of his guava orchards a little area is left for ‘The Gem of Taiwan’. 

‘Old Timers Guava’ is not profitable, but in terms of fragrance and flavor it is still on par with newer varieties. Although this more traditional variety has fallen out of favor with the young generation, in comparison, the elderly, who often suffer from bad teeth, simply adore it. Fang Han-ming not only delivers traditional soft guavas to old people in the district, he also goes out of his way to take care of elderly residents living alone, often supplying timely help in their hour of need. In addition, in terms of marketing and production savvy, Fang Han-ming has come to the aid of many local guava growers.   Ploughing through traditional farming methods, Fang Han-ming has gained some new insights, and whenever there are agriculture workshop courses organized by the government, he is always the first to sign up. With the help of his daughter, Fang Han-ming has also developed many novel new production and marketing techniques. However, this open-minded guava expert has never forgotten his roots, giving back to the community through helping the elderly and ensuring the township's guava reputation extends even further afield.

PeoPo 公民新聞

Guava expert Fang Han-ming – innovation and respect for the aged (by CJ Enews)

URL:

http://www.peopo.org/portal.php?op=viewPost&articleId=109802

照片

芭樂達人方漢明　敬老創新一把罩 ( 中正E報 )

(以下是中文對照)

總是開朗笑著的方漢明從叔叔那代開始，就一直持續栽種軟芭樂，儘管經濟效益不高，但為了讓村裡的老人吃得開心，始終維持著每個芭樂園都有一株「寶島月拔」的習慣。

儘管老人芭樂的銷路不佳，但香氣卻不輸一般芭樂，因此雖不受年輕人的歡迎，但卻廣受牙齒不好的老人家喜愛。除了分送軟芭樂給老人家吃，方漢明總會特別照顧獨居老人，常常在他們身體不適時給予及時的幫助。此外，方漢明在產銷班也是大夥不可多得的好幫手。

深耕於傳統農業之餘，方漢明也樂於吸收新知識，每當有政府舉辦的農業研習班課程，他總是搶著報名。對於芭樂的行銷，也在兒女的幫助下，有了一番心得體貼老人家，並且樂於開發新銷路的芭樂達人方漢明，不僅飲水思源、懂得回饋鄉里長者，也冀望讓芭樂之鄉的美名傳得更廣更遠。

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