In order to learn more about Ershui’s new legend, Ershui Mesona, we visited Director-General and Chief of Business Promotion Division of Ershui Farmers’ Association. We hope we will become more familiar with our hometown’s agricultural products after the interview.

Q1: How many Mesona varieties are there? What variety of Mesona is it in Ershui? Why was this variety chosen? (Was it because of any specific geographical conditions suitable for this kind of Mesona to grow?)

A1: There are many Mesona varieties. Ershui’s Mesona was tested and provided by Agricultural Research and Extension Station and its contract-farming company. The contract-farming company chose Ershui to grow Mesona because of its pollution-free environment and great soil. The fertile alluvial soil of Zhuoshui River provides Mesona great nutrients.

Q2: Ershui is an agricultural township, which grows many famous agricultural products, such as white shaddock, white bitter gourd, Zhuoshui rice, eggplant, guava. Among so many agricultural products, why did the farmer’s association choose to promote Mesona? (Why didn’t we choose an agricultural product from the existing ones to promote and represent Ershui?)

A2: Ershui is indeed an agricultural township for its rich products. However, Ershui is located in the public land along the river where the river law requires all plants must be lower than 100 cm. Since most crops are not qualified and have limited economic benefits, Mesona was chosen as the township’s featured product for its high economic value and conservation traits. White shaddock used to be the township’s featured produce, but it grows on the top of Baguashan Mountain range with limited area for farming.

Q3: When are Mesona’s planting time, such as the sowing time and harvest time, best environment and climate growing Ershui Mesona, and pests and details to be noticed during the planting time?

A3: The sowing time of Mesona is around Qingming Festival, and the harvest time is in September. Due to the limitation, the type of Mesona we plant requires less hot climate, sufficient water, and well-drained soil; otherwise the Mesona will get rotten.

Q4: Facing the three challenges, what are the features of Ershui Mesona? Do we have the chance to produce Mesona massively in order to reach the high economic benefits?

A4: Ershui Township’s Mesona is planted in the source of Zhuoshui River where the soil is fertile and has no industrial pollution, so the quality of Mesona is excellent. Many contract companies and media are interested in it. Ershui Mesona is made using the ancient way, so it is a high purity product. Besides, it is packaged in cans and sold in gift boxes, which interest many buyers. In addition to the high repurchase rate and positive feedback, the promised price from the contract company encouraged farmers to plant Mesona and achieve the high economic value.

Q5: Taiwan’s Taisun Enterprise Co., Ltd. is a major factory that produces Mesona honey drink. Does Ershui Farmers’ Association have any contract with Taisun Enterprise Co., Ltd. for producing and marketing Mesona?

A5: Ershui Township is contracted with Taisun Enterprise for planting Mesona, such as Taisun No.1, Taisun No.2, Taisun No.3, and origin Taoyuan No.1. Ershui Farmers’ Association also continuously communicate with Taisun Enterprise for the contract farming, as well as researching with Taisun Enterprise and Taichung Agricultural Research and Extension Station to find Mesona varieties that are more suitable to Ershui Township’s soil, water, and climate.

Q6: If Ershui Township decides to promote Mesona, what should we do to make it sustainable?

A6: It is our third year contracting with the company to develop Mesona, so it’s not popular yet. Currently we promote it through friends and relatives. Although the repurchase rate is high, we hope to produce more and sell more in order to achieve the sustainable effectiveness.