Interview of “Superior Quality Award” winner Mr. Chi-hua Tsai What is your name? How long have you been in farming? A: I am Mr. Chi-hua Tsai, I am 45 years old, and have been in the business for over 25 years, ever since I started farming with my father. Why did you name the rice “Taigeng No. 9 Premium Rice?” A: Taigeng No. 9 Premium Rice was created out a need for high quality rice by the Taichung Regional Agricultural Research & Extension Station. It’s a delicious selected hybrid of short and long-grain rice. Its maternal breed is the tasty koshi rice Hokuriku No. 100 variety that has been dwarfed with γ radiation, while its paternal breed is the hardy, well developed Taiwan Farmers long-grain No. 2414, and carefully selected out of the hybrids of these two. What are the unique traits of “Taigeng No. 9 Premium Rice?” A: The rice plant of Taigeng No. 9 Premium Rice is hardy, well-developed, not liable to flopping, and very fertile. Its exceptional quality is that the rice it produces is of a superior, stable quality, tastes good, and easily stored. You can say that it is the “best superior quality rice in all of Taiwan.” What was your motive for participating in the “National Superior Quality Award” competition? A: I have long been debating the relationship between fertilizing and pesticides, and after I obtained advice from specialists at a seminar held by the Central Regional Agricultural Research & Extension Station, I cut down my use of fertilizer, and discovered that although production quantity went down, the quality of the rice improved, and I gained confidence. And so, with recommendation from Chutang Township Farmers Association, I registered for the “2010 National Superior Quality Awards” competition. How large is your plantation? A: Right now I have 13 hectares. What are the most renowned varieties of rice around the country? Can you tell us a little about them? A: All of the winning varieties of the “Superior Quality Awards” are notable varieties, such as Taigeng No. 2, Taoyuan No. 3, Taiwan Farmers No. 71, and Kaohsiung No. 145, but I still think that Taigeng No. 9 Premium Rice has the best taste. How do you tell between good and bad quality rice? A: You can’t tell the difference by looking at them, you must use professional instruments. What the hardest thing about growing rice? A: Naturally it is hard to have to rely on weather, for example last year there were few typhoons, the rainy season wasn’t too long, the temperature just right, and so I had the chance to win the award.