Xinjiang’s Cotton Revolution: Breeding and Tech Boost Yields 🚀

In the heart of northwest China, Xinjiang is turning heads with its cotton game! Thanks to cutting-edge breeding and digital farming, cotton output and quality are skyrocketing. This region isn't just a pretty landscape; it's a powerhouse supplying top-notch raw materials for the textile and apparel industry.

On October 9, Li Xueyuan, the chief expert of Xinjiang's technological system for the cotton industry, dropped some big news. A high-yield cotton demonstration field in Jinghe County set a national record for calculated yield over a large harvest area! Talk about smashing goals.

Li and his squad have been busy bees , developing over 20 high-quality cotton varieties. \"Initially, we just wanted more cotton,\" Li laughs. \"But then we aimed for early maturity, premium quality, disease resistance, and making it perfect for mechanical harvesting. Guess what? We nailed it!\"

But it's not just about the seeds. The Xinjiang Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has rolled out a tech-savvy system for cotton production. They're setting up demonstration fields across major cotton-growing counties to level up the game region-wide.

Enter digital farming! Now, farmers can manage watering and fertilization right from their phones. \"Check it out,\" says farmer Dong Chenglong from Jinghe County. \"Our cotton plants have strong stalks and loads of bolls. One person can easily manage nearly 500 mu (about 33.3 hectares)! \"

Mechanization is the cherry on top. A single cotton picker can harvest an average of 500 mu per day—that's like replacing 2,000 laborers! \"Before, cotton would get dirty when it hit the ground,\" Dong explains. \"Now, the cotton picker bales it right away, keeping it clean. We use loaders and forklifts, making transport a breeze. Plus, the quality stays top-notch.\"

This year, Xinjiang's mechanization rate for cotton plowing, planting, and harvesting hit a whopping 97%.

Fun fact: 90% of China's cotton feeds into the textile and apparel industry. Xinjiang's long-staple cotton is the real MVP—long fibers, super soft, and ultra-absorbent, perfect for high-end textiles.

\"When we test our fabrics, sweat doesn't show through,\" says Cai Wei, general manager of a local clothing brand. \"No more awkward sweat stains in summer! It's like giving cotton a magic shield, and since we use Xinjiang's long-staple cotton, the breathability is fantastic.\"

For five years running, Xinjiang's cotton output has held steady at over 5 million tonnes. It's been China's top cotton producer for 30 years straight!