Sweet Melon Industry Drives Rural Revitalisation in Shulan, Jilin

Greenhouse melon plantations in Gangzi Village, Baiqi Town of Shulan City, Jilin Province, are ushering in a fruitful summer harvest, with ripe melons hanging among lush foliage and filling the fields with fresh sweetness.

Local authorities have prioritised greenhouse agricultural development in recent years, steadily expanding the cultivation of high-value cash crops including tomatoes, cucumbers and sweet melons to stabilise and increase rural household incomes. Baiqi Town boasts unique natural endowments, located on the alluvial plain of the Songhua River. The loose, organic-rich sandy soil creates ideal growing conditions for premium sweet melons, laying a solid foundation for local specialised crop cultivation.

Farmers in Gangzi Village have transformed traditional barren sandy land into thriving planting bases through targeted industrial restructuring. Adopting eco-friendly and scientific planting methods, local growers utilise fermented soybeans and perilla seeds as natural organic fertiliser to nourish seedlings and enhance crop resistance against pests. In partnership with the Jilin Provincial Bee Science Research Institute, the base introduces bumblebee pollination technology, enabling greenhouse melons to grow in a near-natural environment without pesticides or growth enhancers.

The plantation mainly features two premium local varieties, Baitangguan and Balixiang. Though the melons measure around seven centimetres in diameter, they deliver thin rinds, juicy flesh and a distinct sweet and crisp flavour. According to local agricultural statistics, Gangzi Village’s sweet melon planting area spans 55 mu, with an estimated annual output value of 1.16 million yuan. The thriving industry offers stable employment for nine previously impoverished households, generating an average annual income increase of 6,000 yuan for each household.

Digital sales channels have further expanded the market reach of local melons. Live-streaming sessions held directly in greenhouses helped the village generate over 20,000 yuan in sales in 2024. This year, Baiqi Town has partnered with China Post’s Shulan branch to build a full industrial chain integrating direct farm sourcing, live-stream marketing and dedicated logistics delivery. Supported by convenient access to National Highway 202, local melons can reach consumers nationwide in a much shorter time, creating strong market demand for the regional specialty.

Specialised agricultural cultivation continues to empower local rural development. Baiqi Town’s total sweet melon planting area has now reached 325 mu, forming large-scale contiguous plantation belts across the region. As a pillar industry for local economic growth and rural income growth, the sweet melon sector continues to fuel high-quality rural revitalisation across the town.