Greater yams (Dioscorea alata L.), a specialty crop of Niewu Village in Henghe Town, Boluo County, Huizhou (惠州市博罗县横河镇聂屋村), are now in peak harvest season. Farmers are busy digging up the tubers, sorting and packing them for delivery.
Benefiting from Luofu Mountain's favorable natural conditions, Niewu Village's greater yams are irrigated with mountain spring water and grown using organic fertilizers, without pesticides throughout the growing cycle. They have a soft, glutinous texture and a naturally sweet flavor.
Greater yams can be prepared in a variety of ways, including steaming, cooking into congee or soup and stir-frying. They can also be processed into pastries and other flour-based foods. Local favorites include greater yam braised with cured pork and sweet yam soup.
This year, the village expects a bumper harvest, with yields of around 22,500 kilograms per hectare. Demand is strong, with sales driven by advance orders from traders, farm visits and wholesale markets. Much of the crop is sold in advance and delivered on the day of harvest.
Henghe Town has continued to expand its greater yam industry in recent years. Planting now covers more than 20 hectares across the town, generating an annual output value of over 3 million yuan. The crop has become an important local industry, helping boost farmers' incomes and support rural development.
Author | He Fengyu
Photos | Boluo Fabu
