In Xinjiang, fruit drives prosperity

The fruit and forestry production area of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region has reached around 1.23 million hectares, making the industry a pillar of the region's rural vitalization.

Since 2018, the region has introduced more than 200 high-quality species of fruit trees. In addition, cold-chain logistics, scientific cultivation technologies and mechanized production have developed.

Jiang Xiaolong, the vice director of Xinjiang's Forestry and Grassland Bureau, said that more than 1,960 cooperatives that produce fruit and forest products have been incubated across the region. Around 4.55 million farmers are engaged in their cultivation and production.

On average, Xinjiang sells more than 6.4 million metric tons of fruit to places outside the region annually.

Aysham Aziz, a resident of Kuqa, Aksu prefecture, grows pears while working at a local fruit and forestry cooperative. "This year, I've sold the pears, earning me 8,000 yuan ($1,240)," he said. "The cooperative also pays me 2,500 yuan each month. I feel content with my current income currently."

Recently, Agigul Niyazi, a resident of Wuqia county in Kezilesu Kirgiz autonomous prefecture, has been busy picking figs in a greenhouse.

It is the fifth year she has planted the fruit. She also attended training sessions in her village, learning how to scientifically grow figs.

"We expected to bring in more than 10,000 yuan from the figs this year," she said.