Niu Hailin harvests plums with a fellow farmer at his orchard in Laobing town, Kunyu city, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, in September. ZHANG WEI/CHINA DAILY
With its sweet Hami melons, crispy apples, fragrant plums and tart pomegranates, the fruits grown in Xinjiang's diverse, semi-arid soil have gained widespread acclaim domestically and internationally.
Situated in northwestern China, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region boasts abundant sunshine, distinctive geographical conditions and varied fertile soil. Leveraging its exceptional water, soil and light, Xinjiang produces high-quality specialty agricultural goods that have enriched the "Chinese fruit platter".
Agriculture in Xinjiang continues to evolve with advances in modernization that have led to steady and stable growth in farmers' incomes. Xinjiang's distinctive agricultural products, forestry and other advantageous industries are thriving, creating unique industrial clusters that pave the way for local farmers to increase their incomes and prosper.
Last year, Xinjiang's output from specialty fruit trees reached 18.77 million metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 3.4 percent, according to data from the regional government.
"This is the joy of a bountiful harvest," said Niu Hailin, a 55-year-old orchard owner from Laobing town in Kunyu city as he leads a vibrant scene of harvesting, sorting and packaging ripe plums alongside fellow farmers. The air is filled with the palpable joy of a fruitful harvest, which is reflected on the faces of all involved.
"This year, the plums have flourished remarkably, creating high demand in the market," Niu said.
He emphasized the nutritional richness of plums, which are abundant in dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, and other nutrients. In recent years, plum sales have thrived across various regions. Since embarking on plum cultivation, Niu has garnered technical support from a few universities and research institutions, enhancing his expertise in the field.
Growing plums has become more accessible with the ease of obtaining loans, and sales of plums from Niu's orchard have surpassed previous periods.
"The picking season runs from March to September annually, with this year's harvest commencing around Aug 20 and extending until the National Day holiday," Niu said.
He anticipates a yield of 35 to 42 metric tons per hectare, and he has already sold plums worth more than 20,000 yuan ($2,800).
The promising outlook for the development of fruit and agricultural by-products has instilled confidence in countless farmers.
"Family pressures have lessened, economic gains have improved and I am confident in our future cultivation endeavors. I am eager to explore additional markets, emphasizing high-quality cultivation practices that will contribute to generating employment opportunities," Niu said.
His vision extends beyond economic gains, encompassing a genuine concern for the employment prospects of his Uygur neighbors in the area.
Awaitihan Gapar, a 56-year-old farmer, tends to the fields in Niu's orchard. "My livelihood thrives here. Without Niu, life would be an uphill battle," the farmer said.
To bolster local employment opportunities, Niu emphasized the pivotal role played by farmers, such as Awaitihan, who hail from neighboring villages. "We allocate around 150,000 to 160,000 yuan annually to bring them on board, thereby catalyzing job prospects for numerous villagers," Niu said.
The swift agricultural progress in Xinjiang heralds transformative shifts in the livelihoods of local farmers.
The change in living standards is profound, Niu said. "Once residing in modest flat-roofed abodes, we now dwell in a verdant residential district teeming with water, foliage and blooms," he said. "The ambience is serene and comfortable. Our two-story house is surrounded by fruit trees such as peaches, apricots and pears."
Li Songying shows the tiger nuts she harvested in Xing'an town, Tumushuke city, Xinjiang in September. ZHANG WEI/CHINA DAILY
In the fields of Xing'an town, Tumushuke city, 42-year-old farmer Li Songying uprooted nearby tiger nuts. "While these tiger nuts may not be large, they are sweet," Li said.
Originally from Longnan city, Gansu province, Li ventured to Xinjiang in 2018 to delve into the cultivation of tiger nuts, starting cultivation in 2019. "The region offers an ideal environment for the growth of tiger nuts, promising significant developmental opportunities," Li said.
She cultivates 3 hectares of tiger nuts. "In the initial stages of cultivation, the government extended various forms of support, including seeds, water and electricity subsidies, planting assistance, technical guidance, training and substantial national subsidies for utilities," she said.
Having already sold all the tiger nuts she harvested before June, Li intends to continue cultivation next year because of the crop's easy management and high level of mechanization in farming.
Li is also actively delving into e-commerce livestreaming platforms to broaden sales. "Viewers born in the 1980s who have savored these nuts reminisce about their childhood flavors upon watching my videos and reach out to make purchases. Over time, my fan base has grown, with enthusiasts making repeat purchases and recommending the nuts to others," she said.
Li hosts online sales of her tiger nuts on short-video platform Douyin almost every evening, generating an income of over 10,000 yuan per month.
"I am now confident in showcasing tiger nuts through livestreams. Sales are thriving and we have many regular customers now," she said.
Most of her online followers are from big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in Guangdong province.
Contact the writers at zhangwei1@chinadaily.com.cn
