Greetings to all farmers and gardeners here on hive! Most especially here 
This variety of Taro is one of the simplest yet most profitable agricultural crops we’ve grown over the years in our area. It’s a crop that doesn’t require any kind of fertilizers, and it’s naturally resistant to pests, so you won’t need pesticides either. Despite its simplicity, it has helped our family many times and over the years of my existence, not just as food but also as a small source of income. I’m talking about taro, or the one we call it in our place, "Galyang".
This particular variety of taro is different from the more common types most people know. It’s still in the gabi/taro family, but the edible portion is mainly the roots or tuber. Unlike some gabi/taro varieties where both the stalk and root can be cooked, this one tends to cause itchiness when the mother plant’s body and roots is eaten, so we only consume the tubers. Its appearance is also distinct, this type is fully green from stem to leaf, and the leaves are bigger and hearty, unlike the purple stemmed or pale green varieties that are more widely and commonly seen.
My sister is the one who grows it now on her farm. The process she uses is incredibly simple, she just cleared the weeds and overgrown area afterwards she planted the galyang and let nature do the rest. A few months later, when the plant starts producing small “children” or side tubers, it’s already ready for harvest. When we harvest, All we need to do is uproot the mother plant and collect the tubers surrounding it. That’s how easy, simple and low-maintenance it is, right? Even a 5 year old kids can plant this crop.
What makes this crop stand out is its ability to thrive almost anywhere aside from the rocks. Lol You don’t need rich, fertilized soil or constant watering. This taro variety actually prefers soil that is not too wet, and not too dry making it perfect for upland or backyard planting. It grows quickly, survives harsh conditions, and continues producing even with minimal care. For farmers or families wanting to earn a little extra without investing too much, you can try this plant because this plant is truly a blessing.
When we were younger, this crop helped us and played a big role in our daily lives. We planted it because it required very little effort, and we harvested it whenever we needed extra money for allowances and for our daily needs. We would sell bundles of galyang/taro and the earnings became our allowance when we were in high school. Looking back, it really feels heartwarming to realize how a simple crop helped us in practical ways.
Aside from being profitable, galyang is also delicious. It’s perfect as an ingredient for a famous dish we call "pork sinigang", adding a soft, earthy flavor to the dish. You can also boil it as a snack just like when we were kids, we tend to eat this aside from sweet potato. For many rural families, this root crop is a traditional comfort food that brings back childhood memories.
I’m not sure if this exact variety of taro grows in your place, but if you also have something similar, I know you can relate to this simple story of planting, harvesting, and enjoying the fruits of this simple, hardy and dependable crop. Thank you so much for reading this simple farming blog about our taro crops. I truly appreciate your time and support. Again, always remember to keep smiling and stay safe! Happy holidays! Mabuhay!
Lead photo is edited in canva