Melon harvesting season has arrived in Kuqa city, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, bringing economic benefits to local farmers.

The melons, a hybrid of Xinjiang cantaloupe, Japanese cantaloupe and European melon, were introduced to and planted in Kuqa with assistance from Ningbo city, east China's Zhejiang Province, a relatively wealthy coastal province.

With its sandy soil, long daylight hours, and great day and night temperature difference, Kuqa is a suitable place for the growth of melons. Melons in Kuqa are sold in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Ningbo, which helps increase local farmers' incomes.

Under the guidance of experts and technicians, farmers have transformed local farming into a new type of agriculture development with local characteristics.