Hengxi Watermelon

Hengxi Watermelon

　　The soil and climate in Hengxi, Jiangning, are highly suitable for growing watermelons. Moreover, Hengxi watermelons are produced without the use of chemical fertilizers and are strictly managed according to green food standards, ensuring their excellent quality and superb taste.

　　　Most melon farmers in Hengxi adhere to traditional farming methods, using only organic and farmyard manure. Among the more than 50,000 mu of watermelon cultivation area in the town, about half is dedicated to small-sized melons and sweet melons.

　　Hengxi Subdistrict is located in the southwestern part of Jiangning District, 32 kilometers from downtown Nanjing, with a total population of 31,000. It governs 10 villagers' committees and 10 residents' committees. The town has 40,000 mu of cultivated land, 23,100 mu of forestland (excluding state-owned mountain forests), and 17,900 mu of water areas, boasting abundant natural resources.

　　Currently, the number of watermelon varieties planted in Hengxi has grown to over 60, with the main variety being Taiwan Xiaolan. Commonly grown shapes include square, couple, triangular, and cylindrical melons—novel and uniquely designed. Hengxi watermelons are produced without chemical fertilizers, relying entirely on organic fertilizers and strictly adhering to green food standards, which are key reasons for their superior quality. In 2000, the Hengxi melon demonstration area was recognized as a pollution-free agricultural product base in Jiangsu Province; in 2001, it was certified as Grade A green food; in 2005, the "Green King Nature" brand watermelon became a Nanjing municipal famous agricultural product. In 2010, the "Green King Nature" brand watermelon was designated as a well-known trademark in Jiangsu Province.

　　Since the first Watermelon Festival was held in 2001, the Hengxi watermelon industry has seen unprecedented development. Today, 11,000 households with 36,000 people in the subdistrict are engaged in watermelon production. The watermelon cultivation area has expanded from 12,000 mu in 2002 to over 60,000 mu today, with total output increasing from 26,400 tons to 180,000 tons. The area under facility cultivation has grown from 5,249 square meters to 30,800 mu, the number of varieties has increased from 4 to over 60, and sales revenue has risen from 21.126 million yuan to 400 million yuan. This year, it is expected to generate an average income increase of over 2,600 yuan per person.

　　The "Nature" brand has become a well-known municipal brand. Especially, the "Nature" brand melons have developed a regional specialty—Hengxi watermelons are sweet, crisp, thin-skinned, juicy, flavorful, and nutritious. They have been certified as green food by the China Green Food Development Center, recognized as one of the first batch of pollution-free agricultural products in Jiangsu Province by the Jiangsu Pollution-Free Agricultural Products Certification Committee, and designated as a green food production base by the province.