To promote Gongguan Township’s unique agricultural products, the Gongguan Township Farmers’ Association has created a special agritourism experience, themed around taro, set for November 16 and 17. Visitors are invited to Gongguan, Miaoli, in the cool November weather to enjoy rural landscapes and painted rice fields, and to savor desserts and delicacies made with local ingredients. On the morning of November 7, the Farmers’ Association held a press conference at the Miaoli Cultural Park’s Ai-Liao-E Tea Pavilion to introduce the event, “Taro Party, Fragrant Taro and Persimmons and Chrysanthemums in Bloom.” Miaoli County Deputy Magistrate Chiu Li-Li encouraged the public to enjoy the rustic scenery of Miaoli and taste seasonal specialties.
The press conference was hosted by Gongguan Township Farmers’ Association Chairperson Lin Chien-Ming, Executive Supervisor Chiang Chien-Hsi, and General Secretary Gu Hsueh-Yun. Attendees included Miaoli County Deputy Magistrate Chiu Li-Li, Legislator Chiu Chen-Chun, County Councilors Sun Su-Er, Tseng Mei-Lu, and Chang Chih-Yu, as well as County Department of Agriculture Director Chen Shu-Yi, Miaoli District Agricultural Research and Extension Station Director Lu Hsiu-Ying, and Secretary Lee Jui-Yu from the North Region Branch, Agriculture and Food Agency. Gongguan Township Mayor Ho Tsai-Hsin, along with several township representatives and staff from the Miaoli, Tongluo, and Gongguan Farmers’ Associations, were also present.
Deputy Magistrate Chiu noted that Gongguan’s taro production spans 300 hectares, making it one of Taiwan’s top taro-producing areas. In the past, the lack of a distinct local brand led to Gongguan’s taro being purchased by other counties, limiting its reputation. However, thanks to the Gongguan Farmers’ Association’s efforts in recent years, the region’s taro has gained recognition. The Taiwan High Speed Rail’s procurement team was recently invited to sample Gongguan’s unique taro delicacies, which received great feedback. She hopes that with the support of the county government, farmers’ associations, local governments, and the farmers themselves, all of Miaoli’s specialty products—like Gongguan’s jujubes and Tongluo’s chrysanthemums—can become synonymous with the county.
Gongguan Farmers’ Association General Secretary Gu Hsueh-Yun shared that autumn is a season of abundance, with taro, persimmons, and chrysanthemums all in season. To build the “Gongguan Taro” brand, the association has developed products like taro chips, honeyed taro cans, taro meatballs, and taro liquor. This year, they also partnered with Swiss Bakery, a well-known local bakery, to introduce a taro-themed dessert line featuring taro pie, taro cheesecake, and taro Danish pastries. These offerings are complemented by taro rice bread from the Miaoli Farmers’ Association and taro dorayaki from Tongluo’s Twin Peaks Tea House, allowing visitors to savor the natural flavors of autumn. The Gongguan Township Farmers’ Association is also hosting the “Taro Party, Fragrant Taro and Persimmons, and Chrysanthemums in Bloom” event on November 16 and 17, from 9 am to 5 pm at Miaoli Cultural Park. The event will include a marketplace featuring local agricultural products, a taro-themed agritourism tour, Hakka food tastings, and live folk music performances. To highlight the area’s natural beauty, the association, in collaboration with the Miaoli District Agricultural Research Station, has created rice field art as part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Food and Agriculture Education initiative. Miaoli Cultural Park has been transformed into a hub for agritourism education, offering a range of food-and-farming courses. November will feature classes on rice and taro, while December will focus on traditional Fu Chai (made from salt leaf mustard leaf), allowing visitors to experience and learn about local agricultural products and cooking techniques. Gongguan’s numerous chrysanthemum fields also form a picturesque landscape, providing the perfect backdrop for visitors to capture beautiful photos and immerse themselves in the tranquility and charm of nature.