Improve Cotton Planting Technology And Promote The Development Of Textile Industry

Workers in the garment workshop of Tajikistan Agricultural Textile Industrial Park on the China Thailand New Silk Road are making clothes. Photographed by reporter Qu Song

In recent years, with the continuous progress of the high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road" between China and Tajikistan, many Chinese enterprises have invested and started business in Tajikistan. In 2014, Chinese enterprises invested in the establishment of Zhongtai (Hatlong) Agricultural Company and Zhongtai (Tangala) Textile Company in Hatlong Prefecture, Tajikistan, and built the Tajikistan Agricultural Textile Industrial Park along the China Thailand New Silk Road. From sowing seeds to weaving clothing, the industrial park has built a whole industrial chain of cotton planting, leather processing, spinning, weaving, printing and dyeing, and clothing, which not only drives the continuous improvement of cotton planting technology in Tajikistan, but also fills the gap in the local industry, and vigorously promotes the development of Tajikistan's textile industry.

"After the arrival of Chinese enterprises, our life is getting better and better"

Khatlon State is located in the Vakhsh River valley, which is one of the main cotton planting areas in Tajikistan. For a long time, the local cotton output has been unable to increase due to the technical level. This situation was completely changed until Chinese enterprises introduced advanced planting and management technologies.

Intelligent agricultural machinery is adopted on a large scale, and the integrated technology of precision seeding, plastic film mulching, drip irrigation, water and fertilizer, mechanized cotton picking is continuously improved. Zhongtai (Hartlong) Agricultural Company helps local cotton farmers to update their cotton planting concepts. The planting experience of early sowing and early topping shall be popularized according to the characteristics of local hot and high temperature in summer; In order to adapt to the planting habits of local cotton farmers, we will provide small precision seeding machines to ensure accurate seeding and save seed consumption... The Chinese expert team will continue to explore and innovate planting technology according to local conditions. Today, the average yield of cotton per mu has increased from less than 100 kg to 350 kg.

In 2023, the local youth Xiluojiding contracted 1830 mu of cotton fields from Zhongtai (Hartlong) Agricultural Company. When talking about his own cotton, Silogidin was very proud: "The cotton variety is good, and the company provides mechanized equipment support. When encountering difficulties, you can contact Chinese experts at the first time. I can manage this large area of land by myself."

After graduating from school, Silogidin chose to go out to work. His brother's income increased significantly after contracting cotton fields, so he was called back to his hometown to grow cotton together. "We can receive the cotton field management fee every month, and pay dividends at the end of the year. Last year, our family built a new house. After Chinese enterprises came, our life became better and better," said Silogidin. Now, his brother has become the "district head" in charge of six contractors, and he also plans to contract more cotton fields.

Continuous saline alkali land has been transformed into cotton fields, old water conservancy facilities have been repaired and put into operation again, and basic work such as cotton field drip irrigation project and plastic film processing has been completed... After long-term efforts, Zhongtai (Hartlong) Agricultural Company has helped establish a modern cotton planting industry in the local area. Wang Lijiang, the general manager of the company, said that the high yield brought by excellent cotton seeds and advanced technology was obvious to all. Not only did more and more local cotton farmers come spontaneously to buy cotton seeds, buy mulch films and rent agricultural machinery, but the local government also took the initiative to hand over plots with poor planting conditions to Zhongtai (Hartlong) Agricultural Company with technical advantages for management.

"I am proud to have a modern textile industrial park in my hometown"

In the bright and spacious factory workshop, the spinning machine "booms", the loom "clicks", the sewing machine "clicks", and the workers are working hard at all posts. Ring spinning production, rotor spinning production, knitting, printing and dyeing, garment production, woven fabric production... China Thailand New Silk Road Tajikistan Agricultural Textile Industrial Park has established a whole process textile industrial chain in the local area, filling the industrial gap in Tajikistan.

The head of the spinning workshop, Nuli, has worked here since 2015. He told reporters that after graduation, he had driven a taxi and worked in maintenance. "Thanks to the industrial park, I can now work near my home."

In September 2022, nine ministries and commissions of Tajikistan completed the acceptance of all the four projects of the industrial park. Today, the Industrial Park has become the largest demonstration park with the most complete industrial sectors in Central Asia and one of the most complete parks in the world's agricultural and textile industries. The textile products produced by the industrial park account for 80% of the total textile products in Tajikistan, and the quality has reached the international level. They are sold to more than 10 countries, including Italy, Georgia and Pakistan.

While accelerating its own development, the Industrial Park also actively cooperates with local universities to cultivate talents. Dangara National University has set up textile and printing and dyeing majors, and other local colleges have also set up textile training courses to train students in cooperation with the Industrial Park. When the reporter interviewed, several students from Tangala National University were practicing in the industrial park through the school enterprise cooperation project. A student named Mahrona told the reporter: "I have loved making clothes since childhood. I am proud of the modern textile industrial park in my hometown. I hope to work here after graduation."

Feruz, who grew up in the industrial park, is now a professor of textile at Tangala National University. It is his working experience in the industrial park that helped him accumulate practical experience in the industry. "Tajikistan needs more Chinese enterprises to invest and help us accelerate the pace of modernization," Feruz told reporters

Niu Wenkui, chairman of Zhongtai (Dangala) Textile Company, told the reporter that the textile talents trained by the Industrial Park have been recognized and respected by the industry, which is also the pride of the Industrial Park. "They will bring their experience and technology to more areas, which is conducive to the development of Tajikistan's textile industry and will create a better environment for the development of the industrial park in the long run."

"Inject strong impetus into the sublimation of the friendship between the two countries"

Since the completion of the Sino Thai New Silk Road Tajikistan Agricultural Textile Industrial Park, many people in the surrounding areas have become industrial workers for the first time, and their lives have changed dramatically.

Zalina is one of them. Looking at the busy neighbors taking the shuttle bus to work, she also decided to try to work in the industrial park. "When I first came here, I didn't know anything, let alone these machines. The Chinese master taught me how to operate very patiently. Now I have become a skilled garment worker, and my income is very good." Zalina said with a smile.

"We will hold a labor competition soon, and everyone is very motivated now." Sasha, a 24-year-old translator in the printing and dyeing workshop, has worked in the textile industry park for only two years. She has bought a new car for her parents, and is now saving money to build a new house for her family. Farajo, the leader of the commuter bus, and his family all work in the industrial park: "The work here is stable, the welfare is good, and the young people around are willing to work here."

At present, the industrial park has created more than 1500 stable jobs, indirectly driving the employment of more than 10000 people. In addition, the industrial park also attaches great importance to employee career development. At present, the highest employee in Tajikistan has become the deputy general manager of the industrial park in charge of agricultural and industrial projects.

In September 2021, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Tajikistan's independence, the Industrial Park won 4 medals of the highest honorary contribution to industry and agriculture on the 30th anniversary of Tajikistan's independence. It is the only foreign-funded enterprise in Tajikistan's industrial and agricultural fields that won this honor. Prime Minister Rasulzoda of Tajikistan said: "The industrial park has made great contributions to social responsibility and employment, and injected strong impetus into the sublimation of the friendship between the two countries." (Qu Songqupei)