Planting early spring watermelons promotes rural vitalization

Villagers cultivate watermelons inside a greenhouse. [Photo by Li Dandan for chinadaily.com.cn]

Nanwangdian town in Dingtao district, Heze city, Shandong province, is renowned as the home of watermelons. 

The comprehensive cultivation of 1,600 hectares of early spring greenhouse watermelons in the area has already commenced. Farmers are seizing the opportunity to plant watermelon seedlings, laying the foundation for increased economic gains in 2024.

Upon entering Nanwangdian town, one can see a series of watermelon greenhouses arranged in a neat and orderly manner. 

Inside the greenhouses, farmers are busy planting watermelon seedlings, with close attention given to every step in the process, from planting to watering. The scene is one of bustling activity. Planting work this year started approximately 20 days earlier than most years.

"We used to plant a week before the start of spring or right at the beginning of spring. But our technology has since matured, and by planting early, we can maintain the temperature and sell the watermelons at a higher price," said Li Zhenliang, a watermelon grower from Dongzhuang village, Nanwangdian town.

Watermelons, as Nanwangdian town's largest industry, currently cover an area of 1,600 hectares for early spring cultivation. With watermelons alone, the per capita income of the entire town has reached nearly 8,000 yuan ($1,118). Now, the seemingly inconspicuous "small watermelon" has become a major industry driving rural vitalization. (Edited by Huang Junyao)