A Lipu taro on display. [Photo by Yang Zongsheng/China News Services]

The fifth Lipu Taro Cultural Festival commenced on Dec 18 in Lipu, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. It staged 20 activities showcasing Lipu's distinctive agricultural and industrial sectors. 

A county-level city located to the south of Guilin, Lipu has a long history and a profound culture. Three of its most prominent products are taro, water chestnuts, and sugar oranges, some of which have won national geographical certifications.

Lipu's taro and its products are popular in both domestic and overseas markets accounting for the majority of the local's income. 

"The agricultural area of taro in Lipu now stands at over 50,000 mu (3,333 hectares) and the output value of taro's agriculture and products exceeds 2 billion yuan ($314 million), becoming one of the main income sources of local farmers," said Li Yuqing, Party secretary of Lipu. 

Li also added that Lipu will speed up the integrated development of agriculture, industry, and service industry to push forward high quality growth of the rural economy.