As global demographic trends shift, population aging has become an undeniable reality in Taiwan, making elderly care an increasingly pressing issue. Older adults require greater care and support from all sectors of society. To address this need, National Cheng Kung University’s (NCKU) USR Project Team on “Sustainable Agriculture and Animal Husbandry” joined forces with Formosa Plastics Group, Chung Hsing Agriculture and Livestock (Central Livestock Farm), Chun-Yun Environmental Protection, and community leaders across Tainan to launch the initiative “Together for Well-being: Algae, Good Fortune, and Photosynthesis Warming Tainan.” Through community visits, the team provided care for senior residents by distributing nutritious food supplies and pandemic-prevention materials, benefiting more than 3,500 elderly individuals. The University Social Responsibility (USR) program is a core pillar of NCKU’s institutional development, aimed at fulfilling the university’s social mission, cultivating interdisciplinary talent, and nurturing socially engaged academics and students capable of applying their expertise in real-world contexts. Within this framework, the “Sustainable Agriculture and Animal Husbandry” team, co-led by the Center for Bioscience and Biotechnology and the College of Liberal Arts. By extending NCKU’s research capacity in agriculture and aquaculture to local communities, the team ensures that scientific achievements are accessible, visible, and practical for farmers, fishers, and the wider public. Former Magistrate Tsao emphasized the importance of transforming cutting-edge research into approachable and farmer-friendly agricultural methods, thereby reducing dependence on capital-intensive practices. By introducing innovative bio-agricultural resources and fostering the adoption of practical techniques, farmers are empowered to regain agency in their production processes. The team also promotes collaborative learning, enabling farmers to identify cultivation methods best suited to themselves and their land. To date, the “Sustainable Agriculture and Animal Husbandry” USR team has supported and guided more than 5,000 participants across the farming, fishery, and livestock industries.
