[Poverty alleviation story] The marigold industry in Shache County, Xinjiang helps 80,000 farmers get rich and increase income
[Explanation] Shache County, Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang is located in the southwestern part of Xinjiang, with a population of over one million. It is one of the 10 impoverished counties in Xinjiang that has not yet "taken off its hat".
In recent years, relying on the advantages of soil and light and heat resources, the county has solved the problem of a single agricultural industry structure and increased the income of the poor by developing characteristic planting industries.
[Explanation] For Nueraili Maimaiti, a villager in Takutuku Village, Wudalike Township, Shache County, marigolds are "getting rich flowers".
In 2012, Shache County introduced marigold planting.
At the same time, Chenguang Biotechnology Group was introduced to provide farmers with marigold planting technical guidance and market support.
[Explanation] Nur Aili Memati recalled that he tried planting marigolds after signing the contract with the company to purchase marigolds at a protected price, which he had never seen before.
In 2012, Nueraili Maimaidi tried to plant one mu of marigold and earned RMB 2,000, which gave him confidence in planting marigolds.
[Explanation] After three years of planting marigolds, in 2015, the registered poverty-stricken household Nur Aili Maimaiti was given priority to obtain employment opportunities in Shache County Chenguang Biotechnology Group Co., Ltd., mainly responsible for seedling cultivation and field management Work, the monthly salary can get more than 5,000 yuan.
With wages and income from the marigolds grown by the family, Nur Aili Maimaiti got out of poverty in 2017.
[Concurrent] Xinjiang Kashgar Shache County Chenguang Biotechnology Group Co., Ltd. worker Nur Aili·Mei Maiti
I started to work from Chenguang Company in 2015, mainly (engaged in) chrysanthemum seedling cultivation, field management, and chrysanthemum harvesting. The company's treatment is very good, and the monthly salary is 5000-6000 yuan. I plant 4 mu (marigold) every year, ( Planting) The annual net income is 8000-10000 yuan. I was a poor household in 2015 and got out of poverty in 2017. I thank Chenguang Company.
[Explanation] It is reported that the main downstream product of marigold is lutein cream, which is used to make food additives, colorants, feed additives, etc.
At present, the planting area of marigolds in Shache County has reached 130,000 mu, making it China's largest marigold planting, processing and production base.
[Concurrent] Shi Shuzhang, Deputy Manager of Chenguang Biotechnology Group Co., Ltd., Shache County, Kashgar, Xinjiang
From the initial 300 acres to the current 130,000 acres, plus more than 20,000 acres in the surrounding counties in Shache, the entire planting area reached 150,000 acres and nearly 160,000 acres. This planting area is also the largest in the world. Since the beginning of this year, we have planted 130,000 mu of marigolds, driving 80,000 rural households, including 23,700 poor households. The area of marigolds grown by poor households has reached 68,000 mu. In the marigold industry chain, we Basically every link has arranged a large number of local labor, which not only promotes the adjustment of the local industrial structure, but also drives the increase of farmers' income.
[Explanation] At present, there are still four "uncapped" poor counties in Kashgar, Shache County, Yingjisha County, Jiashi County, and Yecheng County.
The reporter learned that 1.2 million acres of characteristic planting has been formed in Kashgar, Xinjiang, and a modern agricultural business model of "enterprises + cooperatives + bases + farmers" has gradually taken shape, providing industrial support for poverty alleviation.
Rong Rui, Wang Wenhai, Bai Hongliang reports from Kashgar, Xinjiang
Editor in charge: [Li Yuxin]