A decade after Wu Qidong, a farmer, stumbled upon a few taro seedlings, the once-humble root crop has become a vital industry in Wuyi village, Haikou, Hainan province, transforming the local economy and withstanding climate challenges.

Since 2014, taro cultivation has expanded to 200 hectares across five villages in Longquan town. Yields surged by 27 percent following the introduction of virus-free seedlings.

"When I finished that first harvest, I knew things were about to change," Wu recalled.