Chien Shun-yih looks with a sigh over the withered tea plantations in the otherwise picturesque landscape of Meishan.
A severe drought in the previous year and too much rain during this period severely affected the crop yield.
Taiwan's tea farmers like Chien are looking for ways to cope with these weather extremes.
"The climate is the least influencing factor when it comes to tea," says Chien.
And even if Taiwan's tea production cannot nearly keep up with the quantities from China or India, tea from Meishan has a tradition that goes back to the Qing Dynasty of the 15th century. Chien returned to the family's own plantations four years ago after his father's death. In addition to the drought, he also fights against pests that like the heat in the fields.
Lin Shiou-ruei is a state scientist who advises farmers today on pests and how to control them.
She says: "It used to be hot from May or June, today we have too much heat in April." Too much heat causes the tea, especially the Oolong tea from the region, to lose its aromas.
And tea is very sensitive.
That is why Chien Shun-yih irrigates his plantations and for this he digs deep for water.
This year he expects only about half of the previous year's income.
But he tries to get the best out of his plants: “The tea trees fed and raised me.
In return, I want to do my best and take good care of them. "