Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Pairezhati Abdu) news: "Saffron crocus goes dormant in the spring and summer, blooms at the end of October, and now is the time to dig up the corms..." Patgul Turanmat said while digging up the corms at the saffron crocus planting base of Xinjiang Fengruiyouxian Agricultural Science and Technology Co., Ltd. in Tuowankumukule Village, Keketiereke Township, Pishan County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on May 11, 2024.

Photo taken on May 11, 2024 shows Patgul Turanmat (L) digs saffron corms at the saffron crocus planting base of Xinjiang Fengruiyouxian Agricultural Science and Technology Co., Ltd.in Tuowankumukule Village, Keketiereke Township, Pishan County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Pairezhati Abdu)

Saffron crocus is a distinctive plant with both medicinal and dietary properties. Pishan County, located between 35 to 39 degrees north latitude, lies within the suitable latitude for saffron crocus cultivation.

In 2019, with the assistance of the local authorities, the saffron crocus planting base of Xinjiang Fengruiyouxian Agricultural Science and Technology Co., Ltd., was established in Tuowankumukule Village, Keketiereke Township. "Considering the geographical conditions and climate characteristics of Pishan County, experts in traditional Chinese medicine were invited to conduct on-site trials. After two years of selection among over a hundred varieties of Chinese herbal medicines, including Isatis root, chicory, Astragalus, and saffron crocus. And saffron crocus was ultimately chosen for cultivation," Qi Wanlu, the chairman of Xinjiang Fengruiyouxian Agricultural Science and Technology Co., Ltd., told the reporter.

The planting and harvesting periods of saffron crocus are different from those of other crops. In May annually, saffron corms are excavated from the earth and subjected to a process known as "sprout tumble," after which they are meticulously positioned in separate trays and transferred indoors. As the months progress from June to October, these seemingly "dormant" corms sprout tubes that eventually unfurl into leaves, petals, and blossoms. By late October, the flowering season commences, marking the time for harvest. The procedure involves carefully plucking the entire bloom and then delicately extracting the three crimson stigmas that constitute the plant's therapeutic essence.

Photo taken on May 11, 2024 shows saffron corms at the saffron crocus planting base of Xinjiang Fengruiyouxian Agricultural Science and Technology Co., Ltd.in Tuowankumukule Village, Keketiereke Township, Pishan County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Pairezhati Abdu)

"Despite the current unassuming appearance of these saffron corms, covered in soil and looking rather dirty, they bloom into stunning beauty," said Patgul, who has been working at Xinjiang Fengruiyouxian Agricultural Science and Technology Co., Ltd. for three years.

"During the agricultural off-season, we're all busy picking the crimson stigmas. Being able to find employment close to home and have a stable income makes us incredibly happy," she said.

At present, the saffron crocus planting base has established a standardized saffron crocus stigma cultivation workshop and a processing facility, creating a hundred-mu regulated planting area. This has led to the formation of an integrated industry chain encompassing training, seedling cultivation, planting, procurement, and processing. Additionally, the annual saffron stigma harvesting period facilitates local employment for over 500 people. Saffron crocus planting has also contributed to an economic increase for villagers in Tuowankumukule Village.

Photo shows saffron crocus flowers at the saffron crocus planting base of Xinjiang Fengruiyouxian Agricultural Science and Technology Co., Ltd.located in Tuowankumukule Village, Keketiereke Township, Pishan County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo provided by Xinjiang Fengruiyouxian Agricultural Science and Technology Co., Ltd.)

Saffron crocus is a precious medicinal herb, with each gram of the finished product fetching over 200 yuan. "At present, in addition to the most common saffron crocus stigmas, our company has also developed products like saffron wine and saffron beverages. Moreover, after the stigmas are picked, the purple saffron crocus flower is dried and used as feed for sheep," says Qi Wanlu. Next, the company plans to leverage the hundred-mu saffron crocus planting to encourage local farmers to learn saffron crocus planting techniques, involve them in saffron crocus planting, and aims to establish a thousand-mu saffron crocus plantation in Pishan County.

In recent years, Pishan County has focused on expanding and strengthening distinctive agriculture as a key strategy to boost economic development and address issues related to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers. By adjusting structures, increasing scale, and enhancing benefits, the specialty crop industry has shown robust growth. This year, Pishan County plans to plant about 4866.67 hectares of distinctive cash crops.

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