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Regular Member Badge of Changhua Farmers’ Association
(Full Size)
彰化農會通常會員章
(官方版)
Item number: M252
Year: AD 1902-1914
Size: 24.4 x 21.6 x 1.6 mm
Weight: 5.3 g
Provenance: Quan Jian Zhai 2024
This is a Regular Member Badge issued by the Changhua Farmers’ Association in Changhua Chō, Taiwan under Japanese rule from Meiji 35 to Taisho 3 (AD 1902-AD 1914). The badge is circular with a loop at the top. The obverse of the badge features the artistic Chinese character “農” (agriculture), flanked by a pair of knotted rice stalks as decoration. The reverse of the badge displays two lines of Chinese characters in regular script, “Changhua Farmers’ Association Regular Member.”
In the 1870s, following the reforms of the Meiji Restoration, Japan emulated the British model by organising “Farmers’ Associations” centred around landowners to promote agricultural production and development. On September AD 1900, Japan established the “Sankyō Farmers’ Association” around present-day Sanxia, Taipei, marking the beginning of farmers’ associations that continue to significantly influence Taiwan’s economy and politics. On June 3, AD 1902, the “Changhua Farmers’ Association” was also established in Changhua Chō, located along the Zhuoshui River.
The Changhua Farmers’ Association was established with the assistance of local gentry Wu Dae-gong, under the direction of the governor of Changhua Chō. The association was founded by convening 37 street and village leaders from the jurisdiction, with an initial membership totalling 600 members. Notably, Wu Dae-gong was the founder of the Changhua Bank, which is still in operation today. He also authored the work “The Cession of Taiwan,” which narrates the transformation of Taiwanese identity in the face of the Japanese invasion of Taiwan.
The primary objectives of the Changhua Farmers’ Association were to promote agricultural improvements, provide education, and distribute seeds, fertilisers, and farming tools. Members were required to pay an annual fee of one yen, and the association president was elected annually. The association was further divided into four departments: agriculture, livestock, citrus, and sugarcane.
As Japanese corporations invested in the sugar industry, Changhua became a significant sugarcane production area in Taiwan. This development led to the “Erlin Incident” in AD 1924, which marked the beginning of modern Taiwanese peasant movements. The peasant movement, starting in Changhua, inspired Lai He, known as the father of modern Taiwanese literature. His works, such as “The Steelyard,” drew inspiration from these movements and highlighted social injustices.
In AD 1914, the Changhua Farmers’ Association was incorporated into the Taichung Chō Farmers’ Association following the administrative adjustments made by the Governor-General’s Office. It wasn’t until AD 1951, after the relocation of the Republic of China government to Taiwan, that the “Changhua County Farmers’ Association” regained its independent status, which it maintains to this day.