Hsinchu County's Hsinfeng Watermelon Festival to Debut on June 27, Promoting Local Sweet Fruits

(CNA, reporter Kuo Hsuan-hsin, Hsinchu County, June 24) The Hsinfeng Township Farmers' Association in Hsinchu County announced today that the Hsinfeng Watermelon Festival will debut on June 27. The event will feature exhibitions and sales of watermelons and cantaloupes, inviting the public to visit and enjoy free tastings of local sweet fruits while experiencing the charm of the coastal rural area.

The Hsinfeng Township Farmers' Association held a promotional event and watermelon fruit quality evaluation competition for the Hsinfeng Watermelon Festival today. Cheng Yuan-hsun, the general manager, told CNA reporters that Hsinchu County has a watermelon cultivation area of approximately 40 hectares, with an annual output of about 425 metric tons. Among these, Hsinfeng Township accounts for 21 hectares, making it the main watermelon production area in the county. Benefiting from its geographical environment and agricultural technology guidance, the quality of melons produced in Hsinfeng is highly recognized.

Lin Chen-hsiang, an associate researcher at the Taoyuan District Agricultural Research and Extension Station and one of the judges, told CNA reporters that the standards for evaluating watermelons in this competition include appearance, texture, and taste. In terms of appearance, the fruit should be uniformly round and full from stem to blossom end, with a small, slightly sunken navel. The stem should be fresh and still green, indicating it was harvested recently. Tapping the melon should produce a dull thud, which usually signifies optimal ripeness.

He added that after cutting the watermelon, one can observe the uniformity of the flesh color and note whether the texture is tender, sweet, and juicy. The quality of the watermelon is also related to cultivation management, including appropriate fertilization and good field drainage to prevent waterlogging, both of which contribute to the fruit's ripeness and taste.

The Hsinfeng Township Farmers' Association stated that the Watermelon Festival will be held on the plaza in front of the Chi Ho Temple in Hsinfeng Township on the 27th. Approximately 3,000 Taiwanese catties of watermelons and cantaloupes will be available for the public to taste for free. The aim is to integrate agricultural and tourism resources through the Watermelon Festival and boost sales of local agricultural specialty products. (Editor: Li Hsi-chang) 1150624

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