Specialty Ginseng Fruit Harvest Drives Rural Income Growth in Xinjiang’s Awat County

Greenhouse-grown ginseng fruits have entered their peak harvest season in Awat County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Premium fresh fruits are flowing into surrounding markets, forming a vibrant specialty planting industry that fuels steady income growth for local rural households.

On May 18, greenhouses under the Duolang Vegetable Professional Cooperative in Hongqi Village, Ulukol Town, presented a bustling harvest scene. Farmers picked ripe ginseng fruits with bright colour and plump flesh. After systematic sorting, precise weighing and standardised packaging, batches of fresh and crisp fruits were loaded and delivered to supermarkets and fresh food markets across neighbouring cities and counties.

According to local market traders, ginseng fruits produced in Hongqi Village gain wide market recognition for their excellent shape, attractive appearance and superior taste. Purchasing volumes from external markets will continue to expand alongside stable product quality.

This year marks the first trial planting of ginseng fruit by local growers. Benefiting from Awat County’s abundant sunlight and large diurnal temperature differences, the cultivated ginseng fruits feature high sugar content and rich nutritional value. The current greenhouse output has reached five tonnes, with sufficient market orders covering surrounding regional markets.

The emerging specialty planting sector also creates stable local employment opportunities. The greenhouse base offers regular jobs for five local villagers, bringing each worker a monthly income increase of over 3,000 yuan. Local residents can secure stable earnings without travelling far from home, effectively improving household economic conditions.

In recent years, Awat County has fully leveraged its unique geographical and climatic resources to optimise agricultural planting structures. The county has vigorously developed efficient protected agriculture including greenhouse fruits and vegetables, and promoted refined and scientific planting management modes. Local authorities support the growth of professional agricultural cooperatives to enrich local agricultural product categories and streamline production and sales linkage mechanisms.

Ginseng fruit stands out as an efficient cash crop with multiple picking cycles and a long profit-generating cycle. The stable market demand removes sales uncertainties for growers. The expansion of such specialty industries diversifies rural income sources and consolidates the foundation for rural revitalisation in the region.

The continuous optimisation of Awat’s agricultural layout accelerates the transformation from traditional crop planting to high-value specialty agriculture. The development of characteristic fruit industries strengthens rural industrial vitality and delivers sustainable economic benefits for local communities.