By Yong Haiping and Shi Zihan Updated: 2014-12-10
In recent years, the Karamay government has managed to develop a rural economy in Xiaoguai town and increase the income of farmers and herdsmen there by launching all kinds of characteristic economic projects.
Various characteristic agricultural products
Li Zhengguo, director of the agriculture development office in Xiaoguai town said, "Last year, the government introduced the pennisetum sinese roxb ("king grass") and pyrethrum cinerariifolium (a plant widely used in making natural insecticides) and planted the seeds in a pilot planting field in order to encourage farmers to grow these newly-introduced plants. They were able to make considerable revenue and contribute to the industrial structure in the town."
Additionally, a green agricultural plantation, agricultural technology demonstration zone and flower cultivation base are running well.
The implementation of these projects has broken the imbalance of the local agricultural economic development in the town where cotton used to be the only agricultural product; and they have enriched the industrial structure there.
Remarkable achievements in the courtyard economy
This year, Xiaoguai town has launched the "courtyard economy" (making best use of the courtyard for commodity production such as planting fruit trees and vegetables). The local government helps farmers who join in the project to purchase vegetable seeds and find buyers to release their burden and increase incomes.
For those families with poor soil conditions or unattended courtyards, the local government sends Party members to grow some easy plants such as rape and maize.
In addition, Xiaoguai is building a bridge between supermarkets in the city and courtyard owners. The supermarkets purchase agricultural products directly from the farmers' courtyards, which not only reduces their purchasing costs, but also expands the markets for farmers.
Special tourism attracts more tourists
The last two years saw a rapid development in rural tourism in Xiaoguai and the town has attracted numerous tourists.
The unique folk customs and village culture are contributing to Xiaoguai's success. At present, the town has signed cooperative agreements with some tourism companies and designed several special touring routes, which lay an emphasis on tourists' engagement and experience.