Plant teaching hospitals - the farmers’ helper

In the past, farmers mainly relied on local pesticide companies when attempting to control pests and diseases. However, the long-term use of pesticides and herbicides is unmethodical and indiscriminate, often leading to pesticide residues in food that are all-too-often passed onto consumers. Even when not consumed by consumers, such chemicals build up in the soil and pollute the environment.

In order to help solve problems faced in the planting and cultivation of crops in urban farms and home gardens, as well as trees in the city, etc., many universities have set up plant teaching hospitals. The service aims to cure plant diseases by scientific means and reduce the use of chemicals in a win-win situation that takes account of both crop yields and consumer health.

以下為中文對照

過去農民主要在病蟲害防治的時候，都會仰賴地方的農藥商。長期在用藥方面不夠精準精確，有的時候容易產生農藥殘毒，消費者在吃的時候，會吃進不必要的農藥殘留。即使沒有被消費者所食用，也可能造成環境的這些殘留跟汙染。

  為了協助民眾解決種植栽培上的問題，現今有多所大學皆成立了植物教學醫院，對城市田園、家庭園藝、都市樹木等提供服務，希望藉由科學角度根治植物的病症，減少用藥，逹到保障農民收成又兼顧到消費者健康的雙贏局面。