Policy to boost cotton industry in Xinjiang

Ministry vows new measures to expand long-staple type in autonomous region

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has pledged more support to help the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region reclaim its vast areas of infertile land and expand its competitive edge in growing long-staple cotton — a crop that underpins a sprawling supply chain that stretches from textile production in Guangdong province to the fashion industry in Shanghai.

Minister Han Jun had a meeting with regional government officials on Saturday, during which he announced that his administration would enhance policy measures to support Xinjiang in increasing its comprehensive crop production capacity, including for long-staple cotton, according to a media release on the ministry's website.

The support will be provided in areas such as treating saline-alkali land, promoting water-efficient irrigation technologies, and sponsoring the research, development and dissemination of homegrown cotton-picking machines.