Linwu Fragrant Taro

Linwu Fragrant Taro

　　Linwu Fragrant Taro

　　Linwu Fragrant Taro is a long-renowned local specialty of Linwu County, carefully selected and purified by vegetable research departments. Each taro weighs over 1.5 kilograms, packed with multiple vitamins, rich in active calcium and various trace elements. Regular consumption can help reduce fat and blood pressure, as well as nourish the skin and enhance beauty. In November 1999, it won the silver award at the first Hunan Provincial Agricultural Products Expo.

　　The cultivation of Linwu Fragrant Taro in Linwu County has a history of over a hundred years. As early as several hundred years ago, locals had the habit of planting fragrant taro along rivers and ponds. By the late 1980s, Beixi Village in Shuangxi Township began small-scale cultivation in rice paddies, and by the early 1990s, production bases spanning hundreds of acres had been established. Taro cultivation is mainly concentrated in towns such as Shuangxi, Wushui, Chengguan, Huatang, Lanqiao, Guangyi, Nanqiang, Tongyi, Fenshi, Tudi, Shuidong, Chujian, Wuyuan, and Wanshui. In 2011, Linwu County planted 27,800 mu of fragrant taro, yielding 48,650 tons. Currently, there are over 800 taro merchants in Linwu, with a sales network spanning across the country, especially gaining a notable reputation in the southern China market. The product is also exported to Japan, Singapore, as well as the Hong Kong and Macau markets.

　　Linwu Fragrant Taro is famous for its large size, attractive appearance, smooth and fine texture, strong fragrance, hammer-like shape, milky-white interior with purple speckles, and high starch content. It is also prized for being rich in multiple vitamins, active calcium, and various trace elements, with regular consumption helping to reduce fat and blood pressure while nourishing the skin and enhancing beauty. For these qualities, it won the “Silver Award” at the first Hunan Provincial Agricultural Expo in 1999, the “Gold Award” at the Chenzhou Agricultural Exhibition in 2000, and the “Best-Selling Product Award” at the Chenzhou Tourism Eco-Festival in 2001. In 2004, the Vegetable Bureau registered the “Shunxi” trademark, leading to the establishment of the “Shunxi” Fragrant Taro Farmers’ Professional Cooperative. From 1999 to 2008, Linwu Fragrant Taro consistently held over 80% of the market share in Guangzhou Jiangnan Market, the largest agricultural market in southern China, and over 85% in Beijing Xinfadi Market. Today, “Shunxi” Fragrant Taro is highly sought after across the country and has become a leading variety in the county’s vegetable industry. It also serves as a key channel for adjusting the agricultural industrial structure, increasing farmers’ income, and boosting agricultural efficiency.