Farmers are busy harvesting taros. [Photo/zhjjwx.jsjjw.cn]
The initial batch of Jingjiang Xiangsha taros has recently become available on the market this year. In the agricultural fields of Jiuyi village, Maqiao town in Jingjiang, a county-level city in Taizhou, local farmers are preparing and fulfilling pre-ordered requests for taros from their customers.
Gong Weihong, head of a local family farm, introduced that the farm has planted 30 mu (2 hectares) of Xiangsha taros this year, and the harvesting began on August 20.
"Up to now, we have been planting Xiangsha taros for seven or eight years, and this year, we have added another 10 mu", said Gong.
Despite grappling with multiple challenges this year, agricultural experts have provided technical guidance to effectively address adverse factors such as high temperatures, drought, and pests, according to Gong.
Thanks to the concerted efforts, the Xiangsha taros have exhibited robust growth this year. Given the current circumstances, a slight increase in yield per mu is anticipated in comparison to the previous year.
Regarded for its tender consistency and abundant nutritional value, the Jingjiang Xiangsha taro is often called the "chestnut of taro" and holds the distinction of being a designated national geographical indication product in China.
As a major planting area for Jingjiang Xiangsha taro, Maqiao town has actively collaborated with the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences in recent years, leveraging technologies to improve the produce's growth and quality.