Council introduces new peach strain

The juicy peach, named “summer honeydew,” was developed by farming experts at the COA-run Taiwan Agriculture Research Institute in cooperation with a local farmer, Mr Chang, at his orchard in Changhua County.

Chang said that the lowland peaches are juicy and sweet, ripen earlier than their cousins grown in highlands, and are typhoon-resistant.

The fruit is suitable for cultivation in the lowlands in central and northern Taiwan, as well as on small hills, he said.

Honey peaches, also called “juice peaches,” are a favorite in Taiwan.

Council statistics shows that there are approximately 2,700 hectares of peach orchards in the country, generating an average output of 32,000 tons a year, with an annual production value of NT$700 million (US$23 million).

Peaches are commonly planted in the mountains, where temperatures are lower compared with the lowlands. The plantation of the fruit trees has therefore resulted in serious soil erosion and pollution to water sources, the institute said.

To better protect the environment, the institute began efforts to cultivate peaches on flat land over a decade ago.

In 2005, the new strain of “summer honeydew” peaches was successfully produced.

Chang said the new peaches weighed an average of 204g but could grow to more than 400g.