On February 6, 2025, reporters visited the seedling cultivation center at the Agricultural Science and Technology Industrial Park in Yarkant County, Kashi Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. They saw neatly arranged rows of seedling trays, filled with vibrant green seedlings thriving in the spring sunshine. Inside the greenhouse, employees worked efficiently. Some used hand-held sprayers to disinfect vegetables, while others focused on seedling raising and transplanting. Management tasks such as weeding, fertilizing, and replenishing seedlings were carried out in an organized manner, with each process reflecting everyone's hope for a bountiful harvest in the upcoming year.

Qu Dequan, a technician at the agricultural park, said: "The current sunny weather is ideal for growing tomato and pepper seedlings in early spring. It is essential to ensure proper ventilation in the greenhouse and to maintain the temperature within a suitable range for successful transplanting. Additionally, effective pest and disease control is crucial for maintaining adequate light, temperature, and humidity levels."

Abduhalik Mamat, a resident of Youkuriboyila Village in Tagaerqi Town, has been employed at the industrial park for over two years and currently serves as a district leader. He has led his team with dedication in seedling raising, strictly following the technicians' requirements to enhance the emergence rate. "The industrial park not only creates job opportunities but also provides tangible benefits," he said.

The seedling greenhouse at the Agricultural Science and Technology Industrial Park in Yarkant County currently cultivates 12 types of crop seedlings, including watermelon, tomato, cowpea, pepper, and cucumber, with a total of two million plants. The scale of production is expected to gradually expand. The first batch of pepper seedlings is anticipated to be available in early March, which will help meet the planting needs of the surrounding areas and promote the development of the local specialty crop industry.

The Agricultural Science and Technology Industrial Park in Yarkant County is a modern, comprehensive facility that integrates seedling production, scientific and technological training, agricultural product processing, and leisure tourism. The park operates on an integrated model driven by science and technology, promoting the convergence and development of primary, secondary, and tertiary industries. By introducing advanced equipment and optimizing seedling technology, the park aims to provide high-quality seedlings to the public and support the transformation and upgrading of the local agricultural sector.

Nurali Abliz, the director of the Agricultural Science and Technology Industrial Park in Yarkant County, said: "In the next steps, we will steadfastly pursue scientific and technological development, closely focus on the core aspects of the vegetable industry, and continuously improve our facilities, integration, and market strategies. We are committed to promoting the high-quality development of agriculture, rural areas, and the vegetable industry."

(The Media Convergence Center of Yarkant County, Reporters Mihriban Muhtar and Qimangul Mamatniyaz)