“The seedlings can be transplanted soon. In over 100 days, the Hami melons will be harvested,” said Liao Hui while he was thinning out the melon seedlings in the greenhouse.

 

 

Liao Hui, 38, used to be a repair and decoration worker. He also did odd jobs in factories. In 2021, Yi Jinhong, the village secretary, invited him to return home and start his own business.

 

“What can I do when I’m back?” 

 

“Someone in the village is planting Hami melons in Hainan Province and makes a profit. You can have a try.” 

 

Upon hearing Yi Jinhong’s advice, Liao Hui quickly began to learn the planting technique.

 

In July 2021, Liao Hui began to try planting the melons in his field of only 1 mu (about 0.067 hectares).

 

“I didn’t think about what would happen if I failed. I just wanted to do this well.” 

 

“The melons are sweet, juicy and tasty.” As soon as they came into the market, Liao Hui’s Hami melons have won a good reputation.

 

 

“At that time, more than 2,000 kg of melons were produced and sold out immediately,” said Liao Hui.

 

The good market response strengthened Liao Hui’s confidence. In 2022, Liao Hui expanded the planting scale to 2 mu (about 0.13 hectares) of land and offered jobs to 3 villagers. In 2023, Liao Hui planted 5 mu (about 0.33 hectares) of the melons and provided jobs to 7 villagers. The income is expected to reach at least 80,000 yuan this year.

 

At the beginning of this year, Daxi Village established a Hami melon collective cooperative to provide technical, management, sales and other services for villagers, in an effort to ensure high-quality products and more income.

 

“Next, the village will seek policy and fund support from superior departments and make the Hami melons into a characteristic agricultural industry,” said Yi Jinhong.