In the hot summer, in the watermelon shed of Afang Village, Baotian Town, Panzhou City, round watermelons are connected by green vines, waiting for the farmers to pick them.
Baotian Watermelon
In 2016, considering the advantages of climate and soil, Baotian Town began to develop watermelon planting in Shangbaotian, Wupeng and Afang villages. Liu Ya in front of the reporter also walked into the melon shed at that time.
Liu Ya, 45, ran a small clinic of her own before becoming a melon farmer. Later, after being introduced by relatives, he began to learn to plant watermelon from another experienced "teacher Fu" in the village.
This person is Zhang Jin, the president of Pannan Fruit and Vegetable Planting Farmers Cooperative, and the first batch of watermelon growers in Baotian Town.
In 1997, Zhang Jin went out alone, and his first job was road building. Six months later, after the road was completed, he began to learn watermelon cultivation from others.
In 1998, Zhang Jin returned to his hometown, but instead of the idea of growing watermelons in his hometown, he started transportation.
"I feel that what I learned before is still very shallow, and I have no confidence that I can plant watermelon by myself."
In 2010, Zhang Jin came to Shanghai again with his luggage on his back and began to learn watermelon cultivation from the Zhejiang boss here.
When he returned from his studies, he began to try planting. Unexpectedly, it was six or seven acres of land, but it had a good income.
As a master, Zhang Jin will also go to Liu Ya's melon shed to help
"At the beginning, people around me didn't know much about watermelons and didn't dare to try to plant them. So I planted them for them to see."
In 2013, Zhang Jin's watermelon field expanded to more than 30 mu. A year later, he also set up a cooperative with several melon farmers in the town.
"Because some of them have just started to grow watermelons, I will provide some materials, impart planting experience, and help find a market. It's also a group development."
"I learned the skill of growing watermelons from him, and he is my master!" Liu Ya took the argument and said.
From the original 10 mu of land to the current 26 mu of large watermelons with a production capacity of about 10000 jin per mu, Liu Ya will earn nearly 300000 yuan in 2020.
Handling Watermelons
Now, when the watermelons are ripe, the minivans from outside will drive to the melon shed to transport the fresh watermelons to the surrounding supermarkets and farmers' markets.
"People in other villages will also buy one or two to take home when they pass by. We should eat one or two every day, which is the best reward for the hard work of a day."
Picture/article: Huang Yao, reporter of Guizhou Daily Tianyan News
Editor Xie Yongyong
Edited by Ma Gang
