crossbreed product named "Turkmenbashy melon" (after Turkmenistan's first president), which is praised for its aroma, taste and massive size.

The day's celebrations feature a large display of the fruit in all its varieties, as well as a series of dance and music events, in the country's capital, Ashgabat.

In his address to farmers in 2004, President Niyazov said: "Almighty God has turned Turkmen soil into a fertile source of an abundance of the tastiest fruits.

Among them are Turkmen melons, which are the result of farmers' hard work and which have a unique taste reminiscent of the fruit of paradise."

Its taste has no equals in the world, the smell makes your head spin.