An Early Winter Harvest of Taros in Luozhuang

The scent of taro is floating in the air in the early winter, a signal of another harvest year. After the Frost Descent, it is the right time for the harvest of Shagou taro, an agricultural product with National Geographic Indication. It's a busy scene everywhere at the taro-growing base in Luozhuang district of Linyi, Shandong.

In the taro fields, more than 20 workers are busy harvesting, bagging and transporting taros. In no time, the large, round taros pile up in the "taro trenches." With favorable natural conditions such as soil and climate, the Shagou taro grown along the Yihe River in Luozhuang district is known for its sweetness, soft texture, and sturdy size. It can yield more than 2,000 kilograms per mu.

As a folk saying goes, "After the Frost Descent, taro is the best treasure upon entering the winter." Due to its great taste, taro is pre-ordered before harvest. The Shagou Taro Cooperative hires idle labor from nearby, which effectively creates jobs and additional income for local villagers. Additionally, the Alibaba e-commerce base has deep-processed the taro, producing popular foods such as taro powder, taro balls, instant taro products, and taro cakes.

Source: The Government of Luozhuang District, Linyi