Water Caltrop: 
Waste to Prosper & Offer

Tainan Caltrop Business Introduction 

In Taiwan’s agricultural culture, Tainan’s water caltrop industry takes a unique role, especially in the Guantian District, where fertile soils and abundant water supplies provide great growing conditions for water caltrop. The water caltrops exported from this particular district were widely known for their delicate flesh and sweet taste, making them a basic pillar of the agricultural economy. Traditionally, water caltrops were often manufactured in family-run factories, where all production was done through labor. But over time, technology has improved and new technologies have been introduced for agriculture. Those innovations greatly increased productivity and reduced the labor for agriculture. Currently, the industry of Taiwan's water caltrop is not only supplied to the Taiwan local market but also has actively been expanded to internal markets, especially Asian regions. At the same time, the industry had diversified, introducing new products such as water caltrop-based snacks, powders, and desserts. These products help increase the value of the water crops and attract a wider range of audiences, including those who look for innovative and convenient ways to enjoy crop items. 

Cultural events like the “Caltrops Festival” combine tourism and Taiwan’s agricultural culture to attract tourists and benefit the industry. This festival brought together tourism, by offering tourists to experience rural life experiences and to understand the importance of water caltrop farming. Despite its progress, the industry faces challenges, one of which is the disposal of water caltrop shells, which can cause environmental pollution if not managed properly. To address this issue, efforts are being made to adopt eco-friendly events and develop new solutions for recycling these wasted shells. With the support of local government and agricultural organizations, the water caltrop industry is trying to develop growth and minimize environmental harm. 

Problems Caused by Businesses

Although water caltrop has significantly contributed to local community development, it also has several disadvantages and problems. Water caltrop farming needs a large amount of water, which leads to long-term over-extraction of groundwater, this has directly caused land subsidence and water shortages, and it also harms the surrounding ecology and other agricultural activities. Furthermore, to improve production, some farmers use excessive amounts of fertilizer and pesticides, which not only pollute water bodies and soil but also endanger local ecosystems and food safety. Human resources is also another problem the industry faces, as the younger generation is less willing to engage in the industry, leading labor power to become extremely insufficient for doing harvest and cleaning processes. The water caltrop shells are left in the field with no one cleaning and modifying the job, resulting in various problems and causes.

Back to the leftover water caltrop shells topic, according to Guantian District data, around 1,300 tons of water caltrop shells remain in the farm area. These wasted shells have no commercial value and are considered agricultural waste. As a result, they are frequently piled on roadsides; when those shells decompose, it will release terrible scents and contribute to negative circumstances. In addition, instead of air pollution, disposal of water caltrop shells can pollute land and water. When it rains, the shells may develop mold and emit a musty smell, polluting the air and water condition. This runoff may also permeate groundwater sources, lowering water quality and potentially damaging adjacent farmlands.