Safflowers have entered the harvest season in Tekes County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with over 106 hectares of safflowers ready to be picked.
Valued both as a medicinal material and a natural dye, safflowers have huge economic value and have helped improve local farmers' income.
This year, in a village of Qiaolaketiereke Township, the optimal climate and scientific planting have greatly improved safflower yield and quality.
"I started growing safflowers in 2021. It's easy to manage - just water properly and fertilize well. The picking period lasts only one month," said Ma Xiliang, a local farmer.
The safflower harvest also creates seasonal employment opportunities for nearby villagers.
"We use our summer break to work here. The picking wage is 10 yuan (about 1.39 U.S. dollars) per kilogram, and we can harvest around 10 kilograms daily, which amounts to more than 100 yuan," said a local villager.
Leveraging its land resources, Tekes County has actively adjusted its industrial structure in recent years by developing specialty crops to boost income for local farmers.
Safflowers enter harvest season in Xinjiang
