述說台灣糖業發展史
台灣糖業發展甚早，從荷蘭人來台期間，鼓勵種植甘蔗，清朝治台期間，各地興建糖「部」大量產糖，在重製的模型中，顯現當時茅草為屋，牛隻拉石磨搾蔗汁的場景。到了日治時期，糖業成為台灣出口主要產品，全台紛紛建立現代化糖廠，巨大的製糖工廠在田野中聳立。1930年左右，糖業經濟發展到最高峰，曾經佔台灣外銷出口值的一半，產糖量排名世界第三，不僅富裕了國家，更帶動許多城市的發展。
到了國府來台，糖廠收歸國有，糖業經濟成為支撐工業發展的來源。當各式加工區紛紛成立，台灣糖業卻在國際市場，因為價格無法競爭，漸漸停工關廠，許多糖廠成為工業廢墟，糖業的風光走入歷史。
載運一長列的甘蔗，司機員熟練操縱機具，拉動五十節的車箱，要將甘蔗送入糖廠。台糖虎尾糖廠的小火車，成為目前台灣僅剩還在載運甘蔗的列車，長長的載蔗列車經過田野，已經成為一種歷史景觀。
Taiwan’s sugar industry started from Ming Dynesty. Long time ago, when the
Dutch came to Taiwan, they taught Taiwanese people to plant sugar cane to
product sugar.
When Japan ruled Taiwan, sugar had become the main exporting product, there
were many sugar factories built in the middle of the farm.
In year 1930, Taiwan has reached the top of sugar industry, and we were the 3rd
largest exporting country in the world!
Many people rely their income on selling sugar, until KMT took control of it,
and made it govement business.
Later other countries also produce sugar, and the international price had
dropped a lot! Therefore, the sugar industry has become to the end, and slowly
walked into history.
Now several sugar factories became tourist attraction. For example, the sugar
factory in Jia Yi has kept the Japanese historical building, and it also
provides the carrying train that many visitors love to take photo with it. And
you can also enjoy tasty popsicle (ice cream bar) there!