Muskmelon festival opens in Pingyao

Leading muskmelon companies and farmers are rewarded at the first muskmelon festival of Xiangyue township in Pingyao county on July 1. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

Xiangyue township in Pingyao county, North China's Shanxi province, held its first muskmelon festival on July 1.

A muskmelon competition, a muskmelon development forum, an awards ceremony for leading muskmelon companies and farmers, and a livestreaming event for muskmelon marketing were held that day. 

Agricultural technicians, major muskmelon farmers, and rural government officials were invited to discuss the development plan of the muskmelon industry.

Visitors taste muskmelons at the festival in Xiangyue township in Pingyao county on July 1. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

The township located in the irrigation area of the Fenhe River has had a tradition of growing muskmelons for more than 50 years, and its muskmelon growth area has exceeded 166 hectares. However, local muskmelon farmers used to operate in a decentralized manner, and the muskmelon industry didn't develop to a large scale.

In recent years, Xiangyue township has carried out land trust management, developed the rural collective economy, and employed a group of skilled young rural cadres with strong management abilities, allowing muskmelons to be sold online all over the country and promoting the growth of the muskmelon industry.

According to Liang Jianyun, top official of the township, it has established a professional cooperative of muskmelon farmers, developed muskmelon brands, and boosted online and offline muskmelon sales, increasing the brand influence of its muskmelons.