The melon value chain in Gansu Province, western China: benefits to growers from improved diseasecontrol practices

Melons are widely grown in Gansu Province, western China, and besides supplying consumers within the province, melons are transported to interstate markets. The current supply chains have various constraints that prevent delivery of satisfactory and consistent product, and these include technical issues of pests and diseases, inadequate handling in cold-chain storage, packaging and quality standards. A study addressed the potential to deal with some of the industry's constraints in a collective way through controlling diseases, and improving cultural practices and selection of melon varieties. Extension workshops to address these issues, based on scientific research, are used to encourage farmers to work together, and other supply-chain issues are also  being targeted. The potential benefits to farmers include a bigger 'slice of the pie' in the valuechain, but whether farmers can reap these benefits depends on the extent to which they can work together.