Xinjiang method delivers high efficiency in cotton growing

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited a cotton field in Guzar district, where the enterprise Qashqadaryo Jingu grows the crop using the Xinjiang method. The head of state was briefed on technologies used in sowing seeds, irrigation and crop care. On 2,200 hectares, cotton seeds are sown under plastic film in double rows, and irrigation is carried out entirely through a drip irrigation system.

The film helps retain moisture and heat in the soil, ensuring early and even emergence of cotton plants. Through the drip system, water and fertilizers reach plant roots directly. As a result, water use is reduced by 30-40 percent and fertilizer use by almost 30 percent. The harvest ripens 10-15 days earlier than in fields using traditional methods. Agricultural drones are also used in field work, speeding up some operations and reducing fuel consumption.

Under the traditional method, 30-35 centners of cotton are harvested per hectare, while the Xinjiang technology raises this to 60-70 centners. Yield on the enterprise's fields is 55 centners per hectare, with a gross harvest of 12.3 thousand tonnes. The agrocluster, created with Chinese investment, covers 18.3 thousand hectares in Kasan, Nishan, Guzar, Kukdala and Mirishkor districts. Much of this land was previously undeveloped desert and abandoned plots. The project attracted $128 million in investment and created 50 jobs, with exports totalling $8.5 million. The president was also briefed on agricultural work in the region.