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By ZHONG Jianli

The Hami melon is a luscious and sweet muskmelon variety, named after the city of Hami in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China where it thrives. To establish a comprehensive industrial chain and tap the potential of this cash crop, the Hami melon industry alliance was set up in Beijing on October 23.

In recent years, Hami has implemented various measures for high-quality development of its melon industry, such as adopting sci-tech innovation to select the melon seeds and in the cultivation of the fruit.

Through partnerships with research institutions, Hami has acquired efficient technical support to create new muskmelon germplasm and select the best new varieties. Some excellent new varieties with wide adaptability are already being grown nationwide. Collaboration with the National Crop Genebank has enhanced the capacity to preserve the germplasm.

Irrigation techniques have also been improved to ensure the highest possible yield. The water-saving sub-membrane drip irrigation system ensures adequate water for the fruit in the desert-like region, and smart irrigation applications enable farmers to control the irrigation facilities from home or anywhere else by using their mobile phones. The efforts have improved the quality of the Hami melon, increasing its sugar content and making it possible to store the fruit for a longer period.

However, despite the progress, the Hami melon industry still has to contend with challenges such as resource and environmental constraints and shortcomings in the cold chain logistics and preservation processes.

At the alliance's inaugural ceremony, Liu Gang, deputy director of the China Quality Certification Center, said "our aim is to create an efficient platform for high-quality development of the entire Hami melon industrial chain by pooling resources and establishing industry consensus."

Liu emphasized that the alliance will seek to stimulate innovation and build a collaborative system involving various stakeholders such as enterprises, research institutions, and standard certification institutions in the Hami melon industry.

In future, Hami will collaborate with other regions to advance Hami melon germplasm research and development, formulate and certify standards, establish fresh-fruit cold chains and enhance brand development.