The round watermelon hangs in the air, making people salivate. As summer approaches, the early-maturing watermelons in Dahong Village, Hansi Town, Zhongmu County are about to grab the "fresh" market around May Day, and the Hansi watermelons have won the favor of the general public with their sweet and crisp taste and unique planting technology.
The successful planting and sales of Zhongmu's early-maturing watermelons not only enriched the summer fruit plates of the citizens, but also brought considerable income to the farmers and promoted the revitalization of the rural economy. At the same time, the continuous innovation and exploration of planting technology and management mode also provide useful reference and inspiration for future agricultural development.
It is understood that Zhongmu watermelon has a long history of cultivation, according to the "Zhongmu County Chronicle" record, Zhongmu began to plant watermelon from the Han Dynasty, and the Song Dynasty became the main production area of Bianjing watermelon (Zhongmu was originally subordinate to Kaifeng), the watermelon produced is juicy and sweet, and enjoys the reputation of "cool ice and snow sweet honey, Zhongmu watermelon is full of people", "fragrant and smiling teeth, cool into the clothes and bones, and wind".
As early as 2007, Zhongmu watermelon was awarded the famous brand agricultural product of Henan Province. In 2011, the Ministry of Agriculture approved the registration and protection of geographical indications of agricultural products for "Zhongmu watermelon". In 2020, Zhongmu watermelon was awarded the title of National Famous and Special New Agricultural Products by the Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
According to the relevant person in charge of the Zhongmu County Agricultural Committee, the county's watermelon planting area is about 20,000 mu this year, of which 60% is gift watermelon, which is commonly known as "small hanging melon", and the main varieties are L600, Jingying, beyond dreams, etc. In recent years, with the improvement of people's living standards, the quality requirements for watermelons are getting higher and higher. For this reason, the watermelon varieties in Zhongmu County have been continuously improved. In the perennial planting process, according to the market demand, planting mode, variety characteristics, stubble arrangement, etc., the production structure of a reasonable combination of early, medium and late maturing varieties has been explored, and a staggered listing has been formed, which has extended the market supply period of watermelon products.
Zhongmu County is the famous "hometown of watermelon" in the country, located in the south bank of the Yellow River, west of Zhengzhou, east of the ancient capital of Kaifeng, because of the flat terrain, fertile land, sufficient sunlight, very suitable for watermelon growth, mainly distributed in Hansi Town, Guandu Town, Yaojia Town, Dongfeng Road Street Office, etc. After this year's early-maturing watermelon enters the growth period, the climate has been more suitable for the growth of watermelon.
"In order to ensure the quality and maturity of watermelons, we have adopted refined management measures, from the current greenhouse melon growth situation, the harvest of early-maturing watermelons is in sight, it is expected that around May Day, you can eat fresh and delicious watermelons in Mou, I hope that the majority of friends take advantage of the May Day holiday, to pick and taste fresh. A farmer in Dahong Village said.
The person in charge said that in the next step, Zhongmu County will let tourists enjoy a unique agricultural cultural experience through agricultural tourism, rural culture display, farming experience, agricultural product sales, melon shed picking and other activities, so as to increase their understanding and interest in rural areas. In order to promote the rapid development of the watermelon industry and the rural cultural tourism industry, enhance the brand influence of watermelon, and become an emerging industry for the integrated development of agriculture, culture and tourism. (Wang Junjie, Wang Leilei, Zhang Chen/Wentu)