Taichung's mayoral campaign is heating up with both main candidates courting key voter blocs, neutral news for the city but a sign the race will be fought over farming and young voters.

• Taichung votes for mayor on November 28, and candidate registration opened this week.
• KMT candidate Chiang Chi-chen pitched a five-part farming plan covering local branding, sales channels, school meals, smart technology and disaster warnings.
• He also promised a farmers' market, priority water supply for farming, and bigger cash prizes for award-winning farmers.
• To fix the shortage of farm workers and an aging farming population, he wants a "smart farming team" linking universities, farm groups and Taichung's machinery, AI and robot companies.
• DPP candidate Ho Hsin-chun set up a youth support group after first-time voters picked up her registration papers, and is promising a youth affairs bureau, startup hubs and an AI training institute.

Outlook: Both candidates register in early September, with the campaign likely to keep targeting farmers and young voters through the autumn.