Kashgar's watermelon project yields sweet success

Located in Shule county, Kashgar, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, the Watermelon Science Hall attracts students nationwide to learn about the melon culture during study tours. They can also learn from local farmers how to grow watermelon in greenhouses.

The hall is part of the ambitious watermelon project in Shule county, established by Guopai Watermelon Agricultural Technology Co, Ltd from Shandong province. Besides growing delicious watermelons in Shule, the company also organizes Melon and Vegetable Culture Festival to popularize watermelon culture.

"We are striving to attract university graduates from Kashgar to return to their hometowns to work. About 300 local farmers have been employed steadily, and 2,000 have found temporary employment, especially the female villagers," said Hou Yongfang, who's in charge of the watermelon project.