Village in Shandong enjoys bountiful taro harvest

Xicheng village in Feixian county, Shandong province, recently celebrated another fruitful taro harvest.

"I have cultivated nearly 100 mu (approximately 6.67 hectares) of taro and this yield is around 3,000 kilograms per mu. This has generated an income of over 10,000 yuan ($1,398.96) per mu," said Sun Jiaxian, a large-scale farmer.

Xicheng village has revolutionized its taro industry through a cooperative-based operating model.

The village's taro plantation area now spans over 1,000 mu, and there are more than 400 farmers involved.

A villager from Xicheng village in Feixian county, Shandong province, proudly displays her freshly harvested taro. [Photo by Pan Qinghua for chinadaily.com.cn]

Initially, Xicheng village encountered numerous challenges such as the lack of contiguous land and advanced technology. Storage and sales were also major concerns, resulting in a low enthusiasm for taro cultivation.

However, by prioritizing the development of distinctive agriculture, expanding the taro plantation area, and implementing a comprehensive service model offering land transfer, premium seeds, technical guidance and purchase solutions, Xicheng village has effectively addressed the farmers' worries.

Presently, Xicheng village primarily cultivates a new taro variety known as "Dou Bao". Farmers employ fertilizer integration tools, along with drip irrigation facilities, to enhance cultivation. The produced taro boasts excellent quality, and is known for its large, soft texture and delightful taste. A significant portion of the premium taro is exported to countries such as Japan and Singapore. (Edited by He Yuge)