Dongsheng Watermelon

Dongsheng Watermelon

　　Dongsheng watermelon is a specialty of Dongsheng Town, Shishou City, Jingzhou, Hubei Province. The natural conditions for growing watermelons in Dongsheng are excellent, producing distinctive varieties such as the yellow-fleshed seedless Black Sand Emperor, Zhengkang Seedless No. 4, and pure black-skinned seedless watermelons.

　　In recent years, the Dongsheng Town Committee and the town government have prioritized the development of the watermelon industry as a leading sector in building a new socialist countryside. Relying on the Shishou City Melon Cooperative, they have focused on increasing farmers’ incomes, improving yields through technology, and regulating market behavior while guiding farmers toward independent sales. As a result, the planting area of high-quality watermelons has expanded year by year, reaching nearly 30,000 mu in 2010. In 1999, the town was designated by the China Melon Association as a “National New Melon Variety Experimental Demonstration Base.” In 2000, it was awarded the title of “Hubei Province’s Star Melon Township” by the Hubei Melon Association. In 2001, Dongsheng’s “Lianghu” brand watermelon successfully passed the review of the Provincial Green Food Office and was registered with the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, becoming the country’s only green food trademark named after a geographical indication. In 2006, Dongsheng watermelon won the “Outstanding Quality Award” at the Changsha Green Food Expo. In 2009, it was honored as an “Outstanding Production Base” at the inaugural Dongting Watermelon Festival in Changsha.