China Agricultural Inputs Media – When it comes to good watermelons, size doesn’t matter—could this be the secret behind the “Melon King” title?

Want to claim the “Melon King” title? Bring the goods—let’s see what you’ve got!

Winning the title of “Melon King” is no easy feat. As reported by a journalist from China Agricultural Inputs, at the 2018 “Nongda Humic Acid Cup” World Best Watermelon Guinness Challenge held recently and hosted by Shandong Nongda Fertilizer Technology Co., Ltd., the melon that claimed the “Melon King” title was neither the heaviest, nor the sweetest, nor the most visually appealing. So how did this happen?

Zhang Chengyin, head of the competition and Sales Director for North China at Shandong Agricultural University Fertilizer Technology Co., Ltd., stated that the state has proposed implementing the Rural Revitalization Strategy. At the heart of rural revitalization lies thriving agricultural industries. It is imperative to prioritize quality‑driven and green agriculture, with supply‑side structural reform in agriculture as the central task. As we work to optimize the agricultural industry, production, and management systems—thereby boosting land productivity, resource efficiency, and labor productivity—we must vigorously shift agricultural and rural development from an overreliance on resource consumption and a focus on quantity to a model that emphasizes green, ecological sustainability and places greater emphasis on meeting quality‑based demands. In line with the nation’s overarching policies on agricultural development, Shandong Agricultural University Fertilizer Technology actively embraces the principles of sustainable, green growth. On the one hand, it strives to produce inputs better tailored to agricultural needs; on the other, it educates farmers in scientific fertilization practices, guiding them toward a path of quality‑oriented production. In recent years, the company has organized the “Shandong Agri‑Humic Acid Cup” series of events, which have effectively communicated national policies to farmers across different regions and for various crops, helping them adopt scientific cultivation methods and pursue green, sustainable development.

According to reports, the “Melon King” competition held in the Sishui venue drew broad participation from local farmers. At the scene, reporters observed that upon learning of the contest, residents eagerly brought watermelons they had grown themselves to take part. Preliminary estimates indicate that more than 100 farming households entered the event. Lü Caiying, Party Secretary of Yangliu Town in Sishui County, told reporters that Yangliu is a well‑known “hometown of watermelons,” with over 20,000 mu dedicated to watermelon cultivation. Thanks to the town’s high‑quality water and fertile soil, the melons are large, crisp, and sweet, providing substantial income for local farmers. With the competition staged right in Yangliu, it has been warmly welcomed by residents and serves as excellent publicity for Yangliu watermelons.

After fierce preliminary rounds, 20 households were selected from over 100 entrants to advance to the competition’s final. Who would claim the title of “Melon King”? The judging session was lively and bustling. Following on-site evaluations—where expert judges weighed the melons, assessed their appearance, measured their sweetness, and sampled their taste—the panel awarded excellence prizes to 16 entries, while three others took home the awards for highest sugar content, greatest weight, and best appearance, respectively. After a comprehensive assessment, Liu Yunwei from Dongliren Village, Yangliu Town, Sishui County, emerged as the champion of the 2018 Sishui Watermelon Guinness Challenge.

Liu Yunwei, who clinched the championship, told reporters, “I really never expected to win.” His unexpected victory was the result of his all‑round strength. At the judging site, in terms of size and sweetness, none of his watermelons took the top spot in any single category—but his overall score was the highest, much to his delight. After further investigation, it emerged that Liu has been growing watermelons for nearly 20 years and now cultivates more than 20 mu of land, with an average yield of 10,000 jin per mu—two to three thousand jin higher than the typical yield. Over the past five years, by applying Nongda humic acid fertilizer, he has seen a marked improvement in both yield and quality, as well as noticeable soil enhancement. His watermelons grow vigorously, with thick leaves, robust root systems, and excellent flavor, while the soil remains loose and well‑structured. He credits Nongda fertilizer as playing a key role in this success.

Tang Kehu, the general distributor of Nongda Fertilizer in Sishui, is fully confident in promoting Nongda’s humic acid fertilizers. He says, “My original intention in distributing Nongda fertilizers is to bring high‑quality products and advanced technologies to farmers, helping them achieve bountiful harvests. Based on field trials and feedback from users, I’ve found that Nongda’s humic acid fertilizers truly deliver—improving both yield and quality while also enhancing soil health. I believe I’m engaged in a truly virtuous and beneficial endeavor!”

In recent years, Shandong Agricultural University Fertilizer Co., Ltd. has gone deep into the grassroots, organizing a series of down-to-earth, on-the-ground technical extension events that have brought tangible benefits to local farmers. These public‑service initiatives have also helped build regional agricultural brands and alleviate farmers’ challenges in marketing their products. During interviews with participating farmers at the event, attendees unanimously expressed their hope that such activities would be held as often as possible.