Analyzing the Feasibility of Diversification Strategies Developed by the Taichung Irrigation Association for Water Recreation

[[abstract]]農田水利會組織對於臺灣早期農業社會扮演著舉足輕重的角色，透過農田水利會將農業用水有效的管理與運用，成為厚植農業經濟發展的基礎，因此對臺灣農業確有卓著貢獻。隨著時代發展演變，使臺灣由過去的農業社會轉型為工商社會，農田水利會的角色扮演及業務範疇，由單純的為農民服務，逐漸拓展至地區居民。以前農田水利會的灌排業務及田間灌排維護管理，大多靠年資較久，經驗豐富兼具水利專業技術人員來推行維護管理工作。為因應時代的進步及業務範圍日益增加、複雜，農田水利會需引進新的設備與資訊，並逐漸邁向科學化管理，俾使農田水利會事業能永續發展。也因此農田水利會在營運支出與開銷上，勢必日益增加，使得財務上捉襟見肘，造成政府沉重的負擔。農田水利會無法再單靠政府補助，必須善用土地、水資源及經驗豐富的水利技術員工，拓展多角化經營事業，增加收入來源挹注短絀的財務缺口。本研究是以臺中農田水利會為對象，就其轄管之白冷圳灌溉水路發展水域遊憩多角化經營潛力之圳路為分析主軸，研究內容則針對該圳路對遊客的吸引力、滿意度以及忠誠度等相關文獻加以彙集、整理與分析。接著對研究結果來評估投資方案、經營模式之可行性，藉以提供臺中農田水利會發展水域遊憩多角化經營事業之參考。[[abstract]]In the early days, irrigation associations played a pivotal role in Taiwan’s agricultural society. By effectively managing and utilizing agricultural farm water, irrigation associations established the foundation for the agricultural industry to grow economically, making them major contributors to Taiwan’s agriculture industry. However, as Taiwan evolved from an agricultural society to an industrial and commercial society, irrigation associations transformed their roles and services, expanding from exclusively serving farmers to serving also local residents. In the past, irrigation associations generally hired professional, experienced, and senior irrigation technicians to maintain and manage regular and field-related irrigation and drainage operations. However, following the progress of the times and an increasingly large and complex business scope, in order for irrigation associations to develop sustainably, they must employ new equipment and information and also gradually adopt scientific management practices. Thus, irrigation associations will inevitably experience increases in operating expenditure, which will diminish their financial resources and create a heavy burden on the government. Because irrigation associations will no longer be able to rely solely on government subsidies, they must utilize land resources, water resources, and experienced irrigation staff efficiently and adopt diversification strategies to expand their businesses in order to generate revenue and accommodate the increased expenditure.This study investigated the Taichung Irrigation Associations and used its Baileng Canal Irrigation Waterway as an example to develop diversification strategies for canals with water recreation development potential. Relevant studies on the tourist appeal of the Baileng Canal Irrigation Waterway and tourists’ satisfaction with and loyalty towards said irrigation waterway were compiled, organized, and analyzed. Subsequently, the feasibility of investment plans and business models were assessed to produce results that can serve as references to the Taichung Irrigation Association when developing diversification strategies for water recreation businesses