Local Agri-product’s Development Have a New Way

2022-08-02 09:43

In mid-summer, walking into the base of Qimao Cooperative in Gangyan Village, Gangyan Town, we find a harvest of Chongming golden melons.

 

Golden melon, a common local vegetable in Chongming, is a national geographical indication product. It has been cultivated in Chongming for more than a century. As an "old brand" agri-product, Chongming golden melon is famous, while it also faces problems such as "relying on nature" and "single taste". How to take off the "traditional coat"? The golden melon planting base in Gangyan Village is undergoing the innovation of "from seed to product", so that local agri-product can find a new way.

Seed: from Deep Protection to Steady Improvement in Quality and Quantity

 

Seed is the core competitiveness of agricultural products. At present, there are more than 80 varieties of golden melon in the base, and more than 40 varieties have been successfully planted. Each variety is different. The smallest one weighs only 3-4 kilograms, and the largest one can reach more than 10 kilograms. "These seeds were selected from the superior products at home and abroad. After several generations of improvement and cultivation, some varieties that are more suitable for Chongming soil and water cultivation and more popular in the market were finally selected", tells Liu Junfeng, an official of the base.

 

Each variety has its own advantages. Some are storable, some are crisp and tender, and some have much pulp. Now, the "Chongjin No. 2 Product" planted in a large area in the base is a mixture of Shandong "Dad" and Chongming "Mom". It has been cultivated for 8 years and 8 generations before it "landed" as a superior product. The quality and yield of the perfected golden melon have been greatly improved. The newly bred variety has many characteristics such as crispy taste, yellow color and much pulp. It is more suitable for processing products while maintaining pure taste.

It is learned that in addition to planting high-quality products in a large area, the base opens up another experimental site every year for cultivation and planting. While protecting high-quality seed, they continue to promote breeding innovation. Only superior seed can produce abundant grain. Now, with the support of high-quality seed, the base can plant three crops of golden melon a year to ensure uninterrupted supply throughout the year. Now, with the support of high-quality seed, the base can plant three crops of golden melon a year to ensure uninterrupted supply throughout the year.

Planting: Innovative Way to "Hanging" up and Growing Golden Melons

This season, the golden melons in early spring of have been harvested, and the second harvest has also been fruitful. Despite the pandemic, the base's harvest this year has not been affected, which makes Liu Junfeng very happy. Of course, it is not surprising to him.

 

The reason is that the base "plans ahead". He tells that unlike the traditional open-air free range breeding, the golden melon planting in the base bid farewell to "relying on the nature", and the most critical secret is "vaccinating". In the early stage of planting. using a small amount of high-efficiency and low-toxic pesticides to prevent plant diseases can significantly reduce the occurrence of diseases, just like people vaccinating, to prevent and control disease.

 

Have confidence in the harvest is also related to the base's first attempt of hanging vine planting. Hanging vine planting is actually changing the stem vine from ground climbing to space cultivation. The technology is very popular in the field of vegetable and fruit planting in recent years. The main reason is that the technology can save space, improve land utilization, increase the yield of fruits, and increase the ventilation and light transmittance, making fruits seem more uniform.

But there is another reason for hanging the golden melon. Liu Junfeng tells that different from other vegetables, golden melons need to be dried for a period of time after mature picking before being sold. The hanging golden melons can be directly dried without picking and in connection with the stems and vines, which reduces the operation steps and has better drying effect. Only good grain can sell at a good price. When the average price of golden melons in the market is 2 or 3 yuan, the price of golden melons keeps at 5 yuan per 500g. The Chongming golden melon enters high-end restaurants and appears in Hong Kong. The taste of the island is gradually conquering the taste buds of consumers.

Product: In-depth Processing Makes Local Agri-product Trendy

"It tastes good, refreshing and crispy. In summer, such a dish tastes comfortable." As soon as having food in restaurant was allowed in Shanghai, Mr. Cai, a citizen, ordered a dish of shredded golden melon mixed with scallion oil for his first meal.It is the most traditional way of cooking golden melon: blanch the water, drain the water, and pour hot oil and scallions on it. It is a good taste that many Chongming people miss in summer.

 

Some people like the traditional taste, while others want to have a new taste. "What else can golden melon be done?" Liu Junfeng and several colleagues have also been thinking about this problem in hope of giving some answers. Previously, they have developed a ready-to-eat product. Although the sales volume and reputation are not low, everyone agrees that this method has not changed the essence of golden melon, and they all want to try bolder methods.

Melon chip is one of the breakthrough products. We put golden melon into the automatic peeler to peel it. They is cut into pieces directly, and made to crispy slices after drying, which retains the unique nutritional value of golden melon and tastes good.Such finished product has made it difficult for people to think of full-of-pulp golden melon. "We can try to put several kinds of fruit and vegetable chips together, including melon chips, into a comprehensive dried fruit and vegetable. Now many snack shops sell the product, which is popular with young people. The taste of melon chips is not bad, and the nutrition is good. I think it is a good idea", Liu Junfeng says.

In fact, similar intensive processing can not only effectively enrich the product form and multiply the added value of agricultural products, but also make agricultural products get rid of the inherent impression of "unfashionable" and further build a brand. From seed to planting to product, the staff of the base is meticulous about every step. This series of attempts of developing Chongming golden melon may give a direction for more agricultural products to walk on the trendy path.