Denglong Taro

Denglong Taro

Denglong Taro is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Denglong Township is located in the southwestern part of Ji’an County, Jiangxi Province, in a hilly area. Taro is one of the local specialty agricultural products. Due to the unique soil and environmental conditions in Denglong, the taro produced here is large, uniform, smooth, delicious, and highly nutritious, offering health benefits such as stimulating appetite, promoting fluid production, reducing inflammation and pain, and boosting qi and nourishing kidneys. It can help treat stomachaches, dysentery, and chronic nephritis. Currently, the taro is cultivated on over 600 acres, with a contiguous planting base covering more than 100 acres established in Tiandong Village, Qingjiang Village Committee, yielding an annual output of up to 250 tons. Efforts are underway to build Denglong into the “Hometown of Taro.” At the “2009 China Green Food Expo,” jointly organized by the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the provincial government, Denglong Taro received high praise from leaders and numerous merchants for its excellent quality and medicinal properties.

　　Denglong Taro adopts a “company + farmer” model, whereby companies provide taro farmers with a full range of services including purchasing, processing, and selling. This approach extends the taro industry chain, increases the added value of the product, and achieves a win-win situation for both farmers and enterprises.

　　Local farmers have achieved prosperity through taro cultivation.

　　Denglong Taro

　　Geographic Scope

　　Denglong Township in Ji’an County, Jiangxi Province, is situated in the western part of the Jitai Basin, bordered by the Luoxiao Mountain Range to the west, the Yushan Mountain Range to the east and south, and small peaks and hills such as Yuhua Mountain to the north. The Gan River, the largest river in Jiangxi, flows from south to north through the basin, with the Gan River Valley serving as an important passage connecting the northern Ganfu Plain and the southern Ganzhou region. The central part of the basin consists of a river valley area formed by the Gan River and its many tributaries, with elevations ranging from 60 to 120 meters within the territory. The production area of Denglong Taro is close to major transport routes such as the Ganzhou-Guangdong Expressway, the Jinggangshan–Longyan Railway, the Jinggangshan Railway, National Highway 105, and provincial roads. It spans from Dongkeng in Denglong Township in the east, to Guojia in Yongyang in the south, to Hetang in the west, and to Shanjian in Guantian Township in the north, covering a total area of 69 square kilometers. The protected geographic indication area for Denglong Taro as a geographical indication agricultural product includes 15 administrative villages: Qingjiang, Jingkou, Dongtou, Miaqian, Longjiang, Guojia, Tianxin, Mutang, Pantang, Langshi, Gaoyuan, Sitang, Qingshan, Huangpi, and Tangbian. The protected area lies between latitude 27°3′–29°59′ and longitude 114°42′–114°46′, covering a protected area of 200 hectares with an annual output of 6,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Characteristics: Denglong Taro belongs to the Araceae family and is a perennial tuber plant. It grows to about 100 cm in height, with green leaves and red petioles. The root system is well-developed and relatively thick. The taro tubers grow in a lotus-like pattern around the mother tuber. The mother tuber is relatively small, while the surrounding tubers are more numerous, slightly smaller, uniformly sized, and somewhat round in shape. The sprouts are red, with a glossy surface and red-and-white striped patterns. The flesh is white and tender, with a smooth and delicate texture. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Denglong Taro has a protein content of 2.05%–2.18%, which is higher than other types of taro (1.53%–2.2%), and a starch content of 12.3%–15.4%, lower than other taros (15%–19%). It contains 0.31%–0.38% fructose, 0.68%–0.81% glucose, and 1.05%–1.21% sucrose. 3. Safety Requirements: The safety and hygiene indicators of Denglong Taro comply with the NY5221-2005 standard for pollution-free tuber vegetables. The growing environment of Denglong Taro meets the NY5010-2002 standards for the environmental conditions of pollution-free vegetable production areas. The Denglong Taro product itself complies with the NY5221-2005 standard for pollution-free tuber vegetables. 4. Packaging: The packaging materials for Denglong Taro meet national food packaging hygiene requirements—clean, hygienic, dry, non-toxic, and odorless. 5. Storage: Denglong Taro is generally stored in clean, cool, well-ventilated, and rodent-free warehouses. Wooden boards are used as elevated supports to prevent contact with damp floors. The warehouse must not contain corrosive materials or items prone to mold or contamination. 6. Handling and Transportation: Denglong Taro must be handled gently during stacking and loading to avoid breakage. Transport vehicles must be clean and hygienic, and must not be mixed with toxic or contaminated goods. Stacked loads should be neatly arranged, and exposure to direct sunlight or rain must be prevented.