Mingcun Watermelon

Mingcun Watermelon

　　Mingcun Watermelon

　　　　The town of Mingcun has a long-standing tradition and unique advantages in watermelon cultivation. Since 1993, the town introduced greenhouse watermelon planting technology, which proved to be successful. After more than a decade of development, watermelon production has reached a considerable scale and developed unique characteristics, forming a series of pollution-free cultivation techniques including open-field and high-temperature greenhouses, large arch greenhouses, and simple greenhouses. The town plants watermelons on 20,000 mu of open fields, over 5,000 large and medium-sized arch greenhouses covering 10,000 mu, and over 10,000 mu of simple greenhouses. The main varieties include more than 20 types across four major series: Jingxin, seedless, Guanlong, and pocket-sized. The annual watermelon yield reaches 150,000 tons, with a continuous market availability of over eight months. In October 2003, Jiaohe-brand watermelons were certified as “Provincial Pollution-Free Agricultural Products,” and in February 2004, they were recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture as “National Pollution-Free Agricultural Products.”

　　.

　　　　In 2006, the village of Dahuangbu in the town registered the "Dahuangbu" agricultural product trademark. In April 2008, "Dahuangbu" brand watermelons and cherry tomatoes received Grade A Green Food certification from the National Ministry of Agriculture. In August of the same year, "Dahuangbu" brand watermelons and cherry tomatoes passed 53 international food safety indicator tests, becoming direct-supply agricultural products for the Qingdao Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Regattas, with over 30 tons of watermelons and cherry tomatoes supplied for the events. In September, seeds of "Dahuangbu" brand watermelons and cherry tomatoes were carried aboard the Shenzhou VII manned spacecraft for space breeding experiments. In November, the project "Research on Integrated Technology for Ultra-High Yield and High-Quality Green Cultivation of Protected Watermelons and Its Industrial Development," undertaken by the town, was included in the 2009 National Spark Program. In 2009, farmers in Dahuangbu, Mingcun, introduced American black cherry tomatoes at a price ten times higher than gold. This variety has anti-cancer and health benefits and is currently a high-end health fruit and vegetable variety in the international market. Additionally, this year, Mingcun was designated as a National Demonstration Base for the Watermelon Industry Technology System, making it the first watermelon-producing area in Shandong Province to receive this title. This recognition lays the foundation for the town to further develop high-end, distinctive, and branded agriculture, promote the Mingcun watermelon brand, and increase farmers’ income.

　　　　Science and technology are productivity. In today’s era of communication informatization and technological modernization, this statement is more evident than ever. In practice, the town of Mingcun firmly grasps the “bull by the horns” of science and technology, using modern scientific techniques to improve the watermelon industry. In the watermelon greenhouses of Dahuangbu Village, lush greenery abounds, and rows of emerald-green watermelons are a delightful sight—truly adorable. The five major series of watermelons, including the Jingxin series, small-sized series, seedless series, yellow-fleshed series, and Golden Bell Guanlong, comprise over 30 varieties, making one marvel at how extensive the watermelon family truly is. To the south of the village lies the town’s uniformly planned Watermelon Planting R&D Center, where 12 high-end demonstration model greenhouses have just been constructed.