AGRICULTURE
‘Snow rabbit’ fruit touted
Strawberry farms in Miaoli County’s Dahu Township (大湖) have successfully cultivated the Japanese “snow rabbit” white strawberry, which sells for up to NT$100 per fruit. Strawberry fields cover more than 400 hectares of land in the township and are popular among visitors for strawberry picking, Dahu Farmers’ Association director of promotions Hu Chih-lang (胡智郎) said yesterday. Responding to increased demand for Japanese white strawberries, farmers three years ago learned how to grow the fruit, Hu said. This year’s white strawberries are larger than in previous years, fetching NT$80 to NT$100 per strawberry or up to NT$1,000 for a box of 15, he said. Growers are hoping to sell the fruit on White Day, which falls a month after Valentine’s Day, on Tuesday next week, he said, adding that the strawberry season ends next month.
Photo: Chang Hsun-tang, Taipei Times
CRIME
Reservist sentenced to jail
A Miaoli County man has been sentenced to three months in prison for failing to appear for educational mobilization. The man, surnamed Tsai (蔡), is a reservist with the Miaoli County Reserve Command. After receiving a notice to appear for educational mobilization in April last year, Tsai failed to appear for the 14-day training that began on May 14. The Miaoli District Court later sentenced him under the Punishment Act for Violation to Military Service System (妨害兵役治罪條例) for failing to report two days past the specified deadline without reason. His jail term can be commuted to NT$1,000 per day.
TRANSPORTATION
Taipei MRT awarding prizes
Taipei MRT riders are eligible to win prizes this month to celebrate the transit system’s 27th anniversary. Users of the Taipei Metro (台北捷運GO) app who make at least 11 trips this month can enter to win one of 1,500 limited-edition Pikachu ride passes, Taipei Rapid Transit Corp said. People who make at least 21 trips could win one of 30 27-day passes, while 31 trips would make users eligible for one of 20 54-day passes. Those who make 41 trips could win one of 10 108-day passes, while five passengers who make at least 51 trips could win a 270-day pass. At the official “birthday” party at Taipei Main Station on March 28, the first 100 Taipei Metro members who have a birthday in March and sign up to attend would receive a gift and coupon for an afternoon tea, and would be entered to win AirPods, a coffee machine and other prizes, the company said.
AGRICULTURE
Egg price raised by NT$3
The wholesale price of domestically produced eggs yesterday was raised by NT$3 to N$55 per jin (600g), while the farm gate price of eggs also rose by NT$3 to NT$45.5 per jin. The price hikes, the second time in a month, were made due to an egg supply shortage, said Chen Chin-ting (陳進丁), the chief executive of the egg price review committee formed by the Poultry Association, which is composed of producers, processors, and sellers of poultry and eggs. Meanwhile, Council of Agriculture official Chiang Wen-chuan (江文全) said the price adjustments were made as egg suppliers told the council about inadequate supply and a significant increase in demand for eggs. A second batch of 360,000 eggs imported from Australia is expected to arrive this week as part of the council’s effort to import 5 million eggs by the end of this month to alleviate a nationwide egg shortage, he added.
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