Celebrating Lujhu's Fabulous Agricultural Products／雄青ㄟ滴家 2012路竹番茄文化節
Celebrating Lujhu's Fabulous Agricultural Products
◎English translation: Peng Hsin-yi
◎Photos by Pao Chung-hui
Lujhu is one of Kaohsiung's most productive agricultural areas. Lujhu is one of Taiwan's biggest cauliflower, broccoli and tomato producers. Agricultural farmland spans more than 350 hectares and is renowned for its quality produce. The region's tomatoes are particularly famous.
Lujhu's tomato season peaks between November and April. Dozens of varieties of tomatoes are grown in the region and come in a plethora of colors and sizes. Tomatoes are rated by color, flavor, shape, texture and appearance. Lujhu's tomatoes consistently receive 90% or higher on their quality. Tomatoes are best cultivated in areas where soil contains a higher level of salt. In Lujhu, tomatoes have become so popular, and they have inspired an annual festival. The 2012 Tomato Festival will be held on December 8th and 9th at Lujhu's Sports Park.
Currently, Lujhu is refining and modernizing their processes and experimenting with organic farming. The Lujhu Fruit and Vegetable Association's Ninthe Division has twelve members and is headed up by Mr. Li Ching-tang. The division has become renowned for the cultivation of quality produce.
Mr. Li explains one of his goals is to persuade farmers to convert to organic farming. He provides them with education and growing techniques. Organic farming eliminates the use of pesticides and herbicides. "It is difficult to find safe methods to get rid of pests", admits Mr. Li. "We cultivate tomatoes to become naturally resistant to pests. We introduce natural predators or replace chemicals with macrobiotic formulas." Crops are also protected by paper bags, insect lamps and traps. Organic farming is not only healthier for the consumer but also for the land. However, he also understands change takes a great deal of time and patience.
All of Lujhu's agricultural products boast extraordinary health benefits. Tomatoes are great flavor enhancers and loaded with vitamins A, B1, B2, and C. They are also filled with potassium, iron, zinc, dietary fiber and citric acid. They burn body fat, increase vitality and assist in iron absorption. Lycopene makes it a particularly popular due to its anti-aging properties.
Over 100 tons of cauliflower and broccoli are processed every day in Lujhu. These vegetables are rich in vitamins A and C, dietary fibers, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, iron and zinc. They provide health benefits such as detoxification and scurvy prevention. They boost the immune system and strengthen myocardium and muscle. They are also popular as they prevent blood pressure problems.
雄青ㄟ滴家 2012路竹番茄文化節
◎文／盧怡如
◎攝影／鮑忠暉
"雄青ㄟ”農特產哪裡找？高雄市路竹區滿足您對新鮮的渴望！位於嘉南平原南部的路竹區，屬於嘉南地區隆起海岸平原，農特產十分豐富，不僅番茄種植面積達100多公頃，花椰菜更達250公頃以上，「2012路竹番茄文化節 」12月8、9日於路竹體育園區登場，等您嚐鮮。
路竹的新園、下坑地區地勢低窪，土壤地質鹽份、黏稠性高，是嘉南平原以南最大的番茄產地，產期從11月至隔年4月，不僅產量為全國之最，品質更是出眾，果肉色澤、風味、果形、口感、外觀，經評鑑都在90分以上，目前路竹區栽植番茄品種高達數十種，包括紅、黃種類的聖蜜、愛珠、甜柑、金英等品種，有「柑仔蜜」大本營的美稱。
番茄營養價值高，蘊含豐富的番茄紅素、維生素A、B1、B2、C、鉀、鐵、鋅、食物纖維等，以及少量的檸檬酸，不但可以增進食慾，幫助多餘的脂肪燃燒，也消除疲勞，促進鐵質吸收。常吃番茄可以養顏美容、抗老化，近年來大吹養生風，番茄身價跟著水漲船高，成為市面上最受歡迎的水果之一。
花椰菜是路竹最大宗農產品，種植面積亦是最廣，目前達250公頃以上，包含白色花椰菜與俗稱「青花菜」的綠色花椰菜，產期每日供貨量近一百公噸，居全台之冠。
花椰菜營養豐富，含維生素Ａ、纖維質、鉀、鎂、鈣、磷、鐵、鋅等，尤其維生素Ｃ、鉀、硫代胡蘿蔔素之含量極高，位居同類蔬菜之首，能強肝解毒、防止壞血病、提高機體免疫力、調節心臟及肌肉活動性、防止高血壓等。
在農產繳出漂亮成績的同時，路竹的農業也朝向精緻化、現代化的有機栽種，路竹蔬果產銷班第九班發展有機栽種，目前產銷班有12位農民參與，班長李慶堂認為，讓更多農民參與有機栽種是努力目標，最重要的是過程中，農民是否充份認識有機農作，學習優良有機栽種技術，並生產出高品質的蔬果，最後能夠銷售出去。
「有機農作因為不能施除蟲農藥，所以在克服病蟲害方面要費很多心思。」李慶堂說。有機農作對於病蟲害防治，是以栽培抗病蟲品種，或利用天敵、微生物製劑取代農藥，或以套袋、誘殺板、捕蟲燈等物理方法防治。他說，有機就是健康的概念，為了人、土地的健康，一定要穩紮穩打，不能一味求快。