Taiwan dwarf bean Taichung No. 6 trial-planted in Kaohsiung-Pingtung, export potential viewed favorably
The Taichung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station of the Council of Agriculture spent 6 years breeding the new dwarf bean variety "Taichung No. 6," which has obtained plant variety rights. It is currently being trial-planted in the Kaohsiung-Pingtung area and is expected to follow in the footsteps of frozen edamame exports to become another flagship product!
The promising export vegetable - dwarf bean
Taiwan's vegetable exports reach 69,000 metric tons, with an export value exceeding 3 billion New Taiwan dollars, mainly to Japan as the export destination. Now there is another rising star with promising potential - the dwarf bean. According to Japanese customs statistics, in 2018 Japan imported about 24,800 tons of frozen beans, with mainland China and Thailand as the main importing countries, accounting for about 55% and 30% respectively, used for restaurants, hospitals and group meal catering. In recent years, due to food safety concerns and rising manual harvesting costs, the Japanese side has turned to inquire whether Taiwan can produce and supply. After evaluation by the Taiwan Frozen Vegetable and Fruit Association, it was determined that the cultivation model for dwarf beans is similar to that of edamame, and production equipment can be shared, which can not only reduce current edamame production costs but also increase export items and output value.
The Taichung Station stated that since 2013, it has cooperated with manufacturers from the Frozen Vegetable and Fruit Association, first introducing and screening existing foreign varieties, recommending commercial varieties such as "Ceremony," "Slenderette," "Vanguard," "Xianlu" and "5991" for immediate production needs. Currently there are about 60 hectares of planting area, distributed from Chiayi to Pingtung. Related products were also showcased at the 2018 year-end Taiwan-Japan Frozen Agricultural Products Production and Marketing Symposium and the 2019 Tokyo Food Exhibition in Japan, and are viewed favorably by all parties. In addition, varieties suitable for Taiwan's climate are being gradually developed.
"Taichung No. 6" can greatly reduce labor costs with high production efficiency
The new dwarf bean variety "Taichung No. 6" obtained plant variety rights in March 2019. It has characteristics of dark green pod color, pod diameter of 6-8 mm, no strings and high sweetness, all meeting the current specifications for frozen beans exported to Japan. The plant is dwarf and has good upright growth habit, suitable for mechanical harvesting, which can greatly reduce labor costs. This variety has a short growth period, with harvest possible 55-65 days after sowing, and a yield of about 0.8-1 metric ton per fen, showing high production efficiency.
The Taichung Station also explained that the suitable cultivation period for dwarf beans is from October to February of the following year, suitable for rice field conversion or relay cultivation after edamame harvest. In the 2019 Green Environment Payment Program of the Agriculture and Food Agency, "major export crop items" also newly added dwarf bean. It is estimated that the subsequent planting area can reach 400 hectares. It is hoped that building on the successful experience of Taiwan's edamame industry, dwarf beans can become the next promising high-performing stock!
