Reporter: Zhu Shifei Correspondent: Wu Meilian
In order to accelerate the on-site transformation of southern breeding results, according to the work requirements of “one province, one town”, new varieties of melons selected for southern breeding in Shanghai will be displayed in a concentrated manner. On March 17, the “Shanghai South China Meridian Melon New and Excellent Variety Display and Tasting Meeting” was held in Lingshui. At that time, the first “Shanghai South China Meridian Achievements on-site transformation demonstration base” was unveiled, and the industry-university-research-use docking platform was established to help Lingshui's rural revitalization and agricultural modernization.
Through field display and on-site tasting, participants can intuitively observe the growth status and fruit quality of each variety. The promotion of these new varieties will greatly enrich the market diversity, enhance the consumption experience of melons, and bring higher economic benefits to farmers. Especially in the context of current consumers paying more and more attention to quality and taste, the launch of these varieties is just right.
Zhang Yongping, a researcher at the Institute of Horticulture, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences: “I think the milkshakes made from juice made from extended products today are also better in the future. In the future, we will definitely pay more and more attention to this functionality in equal breeding.”
As an important base for Southern Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lingshui undertakes important scientific research and experimental tasks. This event not only demonstrated the results of Lingshui's cooperation with the Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, but also a concrete action to promote the local agricultural modernization and rural revitalization strategies, and built a bridge to strengthen cooperation and exchanges between Shanghai and Qiong in the agricultural field.
Tian Shoubo, deputy director of the Zhuangxing Experimental Station of the Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, head of the Nanfan Working Group: “The melon varieties we breed in the south will continue to increase every year and improve our quality will not only benefit the melon farmers across the country, but also hope to upgrade the industrial structure of the local melon industry to drive the people to increase their income and become rich.”
Through this strategic cooperation, the two parties aim to jointly build a biological breeding laboratory integrating gene editing, molecular detection and joint breeding, providing comprehensive technical support and services to Shanghai's South China Meridian Unit.
Guo Chong, general manager of Hainan Shengjie Agricultural Development Co., Ltd.: “This year we also tried to grow (melons) especially our farmers in Lingshui, which have played a role in increasing production and income. Many varieties have performed very well, especially in exports (in terms of). Many excellent varieties have been brought to the Middle East and will definitely play a very important role in the production of these local farmers in the future.”
In order to realize the “going overseas” strategy of Lingshui honeydew melons, Hainan Shengjie Agriculture Company established a honeydew melon supply market in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the United States in 2024, and successfully exported Lingshui honeydew melons to Thailand, Dubai, Canada and other places, injecting new impetus into promoting Hainan's free trade agricultural brand and realizing rural revitalization.