Farming experience at Xihai Leisure Agriculture Area in Taoyuan, China: "Come plant watermelons in the countryside"

Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan went to the Xihai Leisure Agriculture Area in Dayuan District on the morning of yesterday (the 3rd) to inspect the watermelon farming experience. Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan said that although Taoyuan's leisure agriculture areas suspended large-scale themed events during the pandemic, as long as zoning and crowd diversion are done well, small-scale farming experiences can also be opened. Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan personally planted watermelon seedlings on site. He said that the "Come plant watermelons in the countryside" event held by the Xihai Leisure Agriculture Area invites the public to go into the fields and plant large red-fleshed watermelons themselves, with 5 groups opened per hour and 10 groups accepted per day, and harvest is scheduled after 80 days; in addition, the organizer also launched 40 group slots for video watermelon planting, where participants can watch the watermelon's growth throughout the process from home. After the event was launched, registration filled up immediately, allowing the public to fully experience farming activities even during the pandemic.

Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan said that Dayuan's famous agricultural products include the "three melons and one wheat," namely watermelon, muskmelon, sweet potato and oats. The watermelon seedlings used in the "Come plant watermelons in the countryside" event are grafted onto pumpkin seedlings, which can make the roots grow more robust. If the crop cannot be harvested due to a natural disaster after planting, the organizer will also compensate for the loss with activities or gifts. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to hand-washing facilities, mask-wearing, temperature checks and alcohol spraying, the event site also uses a real-name system and staggered, zoned planting, so participants can safely experience the fun of planting watermelons.

Guo Chengquan, director of the Taoyuan City Agriculture Bureau, said that the Xihai Leisure Agriculture Area has four major events throughout the year. The spring calla lily season was suspended due to the pandemic. The event held this time is the summer "Come plant watermelons in the countryside." Next, in autumn, an edible landscape festival will be held, and in winter there will be the kaleidoscope radish festival. The public is welcome to come and experience leisure agriculture activities.