TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) attended this year’s white jade radish and edamame event in Kaohsiung’s Meinong District on Saturday. 

The agricultural event, started in 2006, was held on Saturday and Sunday at the Meinong Hakka Cultural Museum plaza. DPP Legislators Chiu Yi-ying (邱議瑩) and Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌), Agriculture and Food Agency Deputy Director-General Yao Chih-Wang (姚志旺), and Hakka Affairs Council Chair Ku Hsiu-fei (古秀妃) also attended, per CNA. 

Hsiao served as Meinong’s “one-day ambassador” and harvested the white jade radishes. Hsiao said she had harvested ginseng in Wisconsin during her tenure as Taiwan’s envoy in the US.

According to Hsiao, Taiwan's cuisine is favored by foreign lawmakers who have visited Taiwan. She suggested processing agricultural products to explore new markets.

Chiu said white jade radishes boost Meinong’s tourism and economy. She added that agritourism has brought over NT$1 billion (US$31.75 million) to Meinong.

Kaohsiung City Government’s Agriculture Bureau said white jade radishes are harvested from November to December and have a 45-day growth period. Due to typhoons and excessive rainfall, this year’s yield is lower, and prices are higher.

The agriculture ministry pledged to continue supporting agricultural transformation and promote the nation's agriculture.