The cotton industry in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is experiencing a remarkable transformation, thanks to superior breeding techniques, digitalization, and mechanization. These advancements have significantly increased both the output and quality of cotton, making Xinjiang a pivotal player in China's textile and apparel sector.
On October 9, Li Xueyuan, chief expert of Xinjiang's technological system for the cotton industry, announced a national record for per-unit output at a high-yield cotton demonstration field in Jinghe County, Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture. This achievement highlights the successful efforts to enhance cotton production through innovative practices.
Li and his team have developed over 20 high-quality cotton varieties in recent years, focusing on early maturity, premium quality, disease resistance, and suitability for mechanical harvesting. "Initially, our goal in breeding new varieties focused solely on increasing cotton yields. Later, we expanded our objectives to achieve early maturity, premium quality, disease resistance, and suitability for mechanical harvesting. Now, most of these objectives have been achieved," Li explained.
Beyond breeding, the Xinjiang Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has established a comprehensive technology system for cotton production. Demonstration fields across major cotton-growing counties promote balanced growth and the adoption of best practices in the region.
Digital farming plays a crucial role in modernizing cotton cultivation. Farmers can manage field practices such as watering and fertilization via mobile phones, ensuring meticulous care and optimized resource use. Dong Chenglong, a cotton farmer in Jinghe County, shared his experience: "You see, the cotton crops we grow have robust stalks and abundant bolls. It's easy for one person to manage nearly 500 mu (about 33.3 hectares) of land."
Mechanized harvesting has further streamlined operations. A single cotton picker can harvest the equivalent of 2,000 laborers' work in a day, significantly enhancing efficiency and maintaining high cotton quality by preventing contamination.
This year, the mechanization rate for cotton plowing, planting, and harvesting in Xinjiang has reached an impressive 97 percent. With 90 percent of China's cotton feeding into the textile and apparel industry, Xinjiang's long-staple cotton is renowned for its superior fibers, softness, and absorbency, making it ideal for high-end textile products.
Cai Wei, general manager of a clothing brand in Xinjiang, emphasized the quality benefits: "When we simulate sweating in the lining, there's no visible sweat stain from the outside. This solves the issue of sweat stains for people who wear shirts in summer. It's similar to coating the cotton with a membrane, and since we use long-staple cotton from Xinjiang, the fabric's breathability is excellent."
Maintaining a steady output of over 5 million tonnes for five consecutive years, Xinjiang continues to lead China in cotton production, a position it has held for the past 30 years. These advancements not only bolster the regional economy but also set a benchmark for sustainable and technologically advanced agricultural practices globally.
Reference(s):
Breeding, digitalization boost Xinjiang's cotton output, quality
cgtn.com
