Heirloom Crop : Fujisawa Turnip cultivated by slash-and-burn

Heirloom crops, or "Living cultural assets" to the locals, are crops that are cultivated over several generations. Preserving heirloom crops also preserves culture; these crops are specifically used for local cuisine, ritual and ceremonial dishes which are intricately connected to the culture of the people in this region. In addition, heirloom crop preservation also protects genetic diversity and ensures that the flavour and unique traits will be passed to the next generation of crops. However, growing heirloom crops are challenging due to low sprouting rates and it being prone to diseases, thus cannot be kept for a long time. It is extremely crucial to preserve the knowledge of heirloom crop as once lost, these precious crops will go extinct and will be lost forever.

Fujisawa Turnip is a beautiful red and white turnip, that is cultivated by slash-and-burn farming. It is usually pickled to give a rich sweet and slightly spicy taste, and crunchy texture.