XINJIANG- Some journalists from Asia, Africa, and Europe visited a cotton farm in Awat County, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang province, in the northwest of China.

Awat County is located on the southern foot of the Tian Shan mountain range and on the northern edge of the Taklamakan Desert.

Drones used for boosting cotton production in the field attracted attention of the journalists, and they found that the farmer can use a drone to spray different amounts of pesticide, fertilizer and water on different sections of a field. 

In Xinjiang, in addition to fruits, cotton enjoys a reputation, and Xinjiang is a major hub of cotton production.

In recent years, advancements in agricultural technology have gradually become vital allies to the farmers of Xinjiang. From planting to harvesting, mechanization and intelligent facilities have been widely applied.

Xinjiang's commitment to agricultural mechanization is evident, with 100 percent mechanization in plowing and seeding, 80 percent in harvesting, and an overall mechanization rate of 94 percent in cotton farming, according to the region's agricultural and rural affairs department.

The regional government has been actively promoting the use of large-scale cotton harvesting machines among farmers and cooperatives and spurring companies to increase agricultural machinery production. Supportive infrastructures and services, such as water-saving pipe networks and road maintenance, have been established to bolster farming practices.

Photo: A drone sprays pesticide on a cotton field in Aksu, Xinjiang Province (By Mahnaz Abdi)