Qianyang Watermelon

Qianyang Watermelon

　　Qianyang watermelon is a specialty of Qianyang County, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province. The greenhouse-grown watermelons in Qianyang County are favored by consumers for their freshness, juiciness, and sweet taste.

　　Since the county began cultivating watermelons in open fields along the valleys in 1949, it has accumulated 64 years of experience. Especially since 2008, the planting area of mid-sized greenhouse watermelons, mainly in villages such as Qianyuan and Dazhai in Nanzhai Town, has been expanding year by year. These melons hit the market more than 20 days earlier than local double-film greenhouse watermelons, with a maximum yield of 4,500 kilograms per mu and annual income exceeding 10,000 yuan per mu. This approach not only achieves early-harvest cultivation but also capitalizes on the significant seasonal price difference to enable high-price sales, greatly improving economic returns.

　　Last year, the Tianshan Fragrant Melon and Vegetable Professional Cooperative introduced new varieties such as “Wanfulai” and “Jipin Jingxin” from Yangling for trial cultivation in one greenhouse. Due to strong market demand, the cooperative has expanded to six greenhouses this year. They have also designed special packaging boxes, affixed their own trademark, and built their brand. Currently, the watermelons from these six greenhouses have sold out, generating an income of over 300,000 yuan. Qianyang’s small watermelons, with their thin skin, sweet flavor, compact size, and convenience for eating, have tapped into a market gap and reaped substantial early profits.