Friendly Chinese lotus blooms in Qingshui farmland, Jinshan, New Taipei: admire the flowers and buy some now

The New Taipei City Agriculture Department has designated the Jinshan area as a key region for promoting friendly farmland cultivation. In addition to promoting rice planting, the friendly cultivation of Chinese lotus in Qingshui farmland is now entering its full bloom period around the Dragon Boat Festival.

Farmer Huang Zhengjun, known as Uncle Huang, was the first to respond to the Agriculture Department's friendly farming policy when the white cranes flew to Jinshan, joining the ranks of friendly farming. Influenced by him, nearby farmers also stopped applying chemical fertilizers and no longer spray pesticides or herbicides. They pick up apple snails by hand and manage their fields entirely through friendly farming methods, balancing ecological conservation with farming income.

The New Taipei City Agriculture Department stated that the friendly farmland area plan takes Qingshui farmland in Jinshan as its core zone. Farmers who cultivate characteristic crops such as lotus and wild rice shoots through friendly farming methods can apply for friendly farming subsidies. In addition, the friendly rice cultivation area in Wanli District and Jinshan District reached 27 hectares this year, and organic fertilizer subsidies and land consolidation subsidies for reactivating fallow farmland continue to be offered. Subsidy recipients must practice friendly farming. All participating farmers passed inspection last year, with no pesticide residues detected.

For those who wish to visit Qingshui farmland in Jinshan to admire the lotus, besides driving yourself, you can take the Kuo-Kuang Motor Transport [1815] Taipei-Jinshan Youth Activity Center, get off at Sheliao Station, and walk about 500 m toward Huangqing Bridge to arrive. Or take Keelung Bus [829], [862], or [863], get off at the intersection of Lane 41, Qingshui Road, and walk 5 minutes toward Huangqing Bridge to arrive. When in Jinshan, besides strolling the old street and eating duck, you might also take a walk through the picturesque Qingshui farmland, gazing at Meiren Mountain in the distance and admiring the Chinese lotus up close. The rustic countryside atmosphere is deeply relaxing. On the way back, you can purchase friendly-farmed Chinese lotus or crops to give these farmers who work hard to protect the ecology some encouragement! (For purchase information, please contact Uncle Huang at 0952533310).