Desert county in NW China's Xinjiang experiences bountiful cistanche harvest
Qiemo county in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is experiencing a bountiful harvest of cistanche, a commonly used herb in Chinese medicine prescriptions, with local farmers busy harvesting the valuable plant.
Photo shows Haloxylon ammodendron, whose root is parasitized by cistanche, in Qiemo county, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo/Anwaierjiang)
Over 90,000 mu (6,000 hectares) of cistanche has entered harvest season in Qiemo county, which is surrounded by the Taklimakan Desert on three sides. Using iron shovels, the farmers nimbly dug into the sand, unearthing one cistanche after another. In no time, they filled their woven bags with the cistanche.
Cistanche is a parasitic plant that grows on the roots of the Haloxylon ammodendron. It has an extremely high medicinal value, and is therefore prized in Chinese medicine as the "ginseng of the desert." The cistanche harvest not only brought good economic benefits to farmers along the sandy areas, but also solved the problem of high costs for the sand control efforts of Qiemo.
Farmers hold cistanche dug up from the sand in Qiemo county, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo/Anwaierjiang)
Cistanche grower Tian Laiqun said: "There are over 10,000 mu of Haloxylon ammodendron at Hedong shelterbelt station for sand control. Over 5,000 mu has been intercropped with cistanche under these trees. Aiming at harvesting 1,600 mu this spring, we've so far picked up over 100 tonnes. The price per kilogram is between 7 yuan ($0.97) to 8 yuan."
Abasi Yisa, head of the Hedong shelterbelt station, said, "Our station introduced seedlings of Haloxylon ammodendron in 2005 and began planting cistanche in 2007. The yield per mu in spring ranges from 50 kilograms to 200 kilograms."
Related articles
Ricky Stenhouse punching Kyle Busch could lead to suspension
NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (AP) — Ricky Stenhouse Jr. threw a right hook at Kyle Busch, and suddenly, an2024-05-22- MILWAUKEE (AP) — Damian Lillard’s sensational start ensured the Milwaukee Bucks would fare just fine2024-05-22
Commanders release Shaka Toney after he was reinstated following a gambling suspension
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The Washington Commanders released defensive end Shaka Toney on Monday, four day2024-05-22Cleveland to pay $4.8M to family of teen killed by stolen car during police chase
CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland will pay $4.8 million to the family of a 13-year-old girl killed when a s2024-05-22Elon Musk gets approval from FDA to implant his Neuralink brain chip into a second patient
Elon Musk’s Neuralink has been given a green light to implant its brain chip in a second patient aft2024-05-22Donald Trump trial LIVE: Michael Cohen says ex
Donald Trump's historic hush money trial in Manhattan kicked off with opening statements and could e2024-05-22
atest comment