A young man from Kashi builds a spice business in his hometown

Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Otkur Nijat) news: On April 27, 2026, 35-year-old Nurmamat Ziyawudun was guiding workers at his own spice processing factory in Qianjin Village, Naize'erbage Town, Kashi City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Ten years ago, he was an ordinary farmer with no technical skills or business experience. Today, he has become a local leader in poverty alleviation through the spice industry.

Having entered the workforce at a young age, Nurmamat knew well that without knowledge and skills it is hard to succeed. In 2007, he traveled to Urumqi to study the national common language and computer skills systematically, laying the groundwork for starting a business. After returning home, he began with small trading and spice distribution, learning business management by doing. To master the core techniques of spice processing, he went to Sichuan, Ningxia and other places to study, bringing back advanced methods and experience to his hometown.

Nurmamat Ziyawudun (left) checks spice quality with an employee in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on April 27, 2026. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Otkur Nijat)

​Employees package spices at the spice processing factory in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on April 27, 2026. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Otkur Nijat)

At the end of 2016, with support from the local government, Nurmamat opened a spice processing factory. In the early days, the factory was small and had a weak foundation. He kept improving his techniques and gradually gained a foothold in the market. Now the factory has expanded to more than 1,000 square meters. Its product line has grown from a single chili sauce to 18 varieties, including big-plate chicken seasoning, hot pot seasoning, and fried rice noodle seasoning. The products are sold across Xinjiang and beyond, with annual sales approaching 10 million yuan (about 1.46 million U.S. dollars). The company employs 20 local villagers, each earning an average of 2,800 yuan per month.

Nurmamat said that policy support and continuous learning have been key to his entrepreneurial success. He keeps improving himself and has also encouraged his relatives and friends to pursue education. Several of his relatives have entered college, setting an example in the village.

His next plan is to expand production capacity, introduce automated equipment, upgrade product quality, and offer stable jobs to more local people.

Employees seal seasoning products at the spice processing factory in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on April 27, 2026. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Otkur Nijat)

Employees transport products at the spice processing factory in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on April 27, 2026. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Otkur Nijat)

Nurmamat Ziyawudun selects books at Xinhua Bookstore in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on April 27, 2026. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Otkur Nijat)

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