Banzifang Watermelon

Banzifang Watermelon

Banzifang Watermelon is a protected geographical indication product.

　　“Banzifang Watermelon” is a nationally protected geographical indication product, primarily produced in Jixian County, Heilongjiang Province. Jixian County features a mid-temperate continental climate, with a uniquely advantageous geographical environment, natural conditions, and a long-standing tradition of watermelon cultivation. The county hosts the “China Jixian” Banzifang Watermelon Festival, which has expanded its domestic market reach, and “Banzifang” watermelons are now sold in over 150 cities and provinces including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Yangzhou, and Hainan.

　　　To promote the development of the watermelon industry, Jixian County established an office to advance the industrialization of watermelon production. In May 2002, it guided farmers to form a watermelon association, and in August 2006, helped them establish the country’s largest watermelon wholesale trading market, covering 50,000 square meters and integrating dining, accommodation, business negotiations, and transport. Professional technicians and equipment were deployed to the production base to assist with soil testing and fertilization, develop Banzifang Watermelon standards, write planting technical guidelines, and guide farmers in strictly following standardized cultivation practices. A “three-tier, three-role” management model was implemented, transforming previously scattered, extensive, and unscaled watermelon farming into an integrated production and sales model combining “base + association + farmers + market.”

　　To address the issue of low technological content in watermelon farming, Jixian County focused on improving quality and increasing profits through scientific and technological advancement. The county proposed a prosperity strategy of “optimizing planting varieties, adjusting cultivation methods, and accurately timing market entry.” It actively promoted new, storable, and easy-to-manage watermelon varieties such as “Jutehongbao,” “Qingfa No. 9,” the “Jingxin series,” and seedless watermelons. Building on advanced techniques and experiences from elsewhere, technicians organized training sessions for farmers on new watermelon cultivation technologies, providing free instruction on innovative methods, and organizing mutual-assistance activities at the right time—resulting in economic benefits quadrupling.

　　The protected geographical indication area for Banzifang Watermelon is defined according to the scope proposed in the Jixian County People's Government of Heilongjiang Province’s Request for Delimitation of the “Banzifang Watermelon” Geographical Indication Protection Area (Ji Zheng Cheng [2006] No. 34), covering the current administrative regions of Fuli Town, Fengle Town, Taiping Town, Jixian Town, Shengchang Town, Xing’an Township, Yong’an Township, Yaotun Township, the 291st Farm, and the Bijia Mountain Farm in Jixian County, Heilongjiang Province.