Sweet potato fields thrive in Shandong's county

In a nondescript village situated at the foot of Cangma Mountain in Linshu county – located in East China's Shandong province – over 10,000 hectares of sweet potatoes have ripened.

Farmhands get busy packing sweet potatoes freshly dug from the soil. [Photo provided for chinadaily.com.cn]

Harvesters busily move through the fields, wresting the plump crop from the soil. Farmers are busy picking, sorting and packing the sweet potatoes. Carloads of them are being transported to markets and supermarkets, destined to become a wholesome delight on dining tables across the region.

In Linshu county, the majority of land consists of low hills and ridges. It falls within a warm temperate zone with a semi-humid continental climate, characterized by distinct seasons and alternating periods of cold and heat. This natural environment makes it an ideal place for cultivating high-quality sweet potatoes and other crops.

Linshu Sweet Potatoes are one of the area's signature products – known for their ideal size, smooth skin and sweet, delicate flesh.

With hues ranging from purple-red to yellow on the outside and a fine yellow to orange-red inside, these sweet potatoes are a culinary delight.

Boasting large, concentrated tubers – the swollen roots of the plant –  with smooth skins, each plant yields one to several tubers that, when cooked, become tender, sweet and irresistible.

Currently, Linshu county cultivates around 10,000 hectares of sweet potatoes annually, producing over 450,000 metric tons.

The region has seen the rise of various processing plants specializing in sweet potato products, which currently have a total value of 2 billion yuan ($28.49 million).

These are said to underscore the county's flourishing sweet potato industry, with its standardized cultivation practices and diverse product offerings. (Edited by Zhang Ying)