Luanjingtan sees bumper sweet potato harvest

Luanjingtan's sweet potatoes enter harvest season. [Photo/Grassland Cloud]

Farmers are busy gathering piles of freshly dug sweet potatoes across 350 mu (23.33 hectares) of trial fields in Alshaa League's Luanjingtan Ecological Resettlement Demonstration Zone, reflecting efforts to explore distinctive agricultural industries.

Established in the 1990s as a key base for Alshaa League's relocation and development strategy, the zone covers 2,916 square kilometers. About 40 percent of the land is desert, while the remaining 60 percent is Gobi wasteland. The central area is flat, with sandy and gravelly soils that are low in fertility.

Farmers harvest sweet potatoes in the fields. [Photo/Grassland Cloud]

"This year, we trialed around 350 mu of sweet potatoes, including varieties such as Sihua, Hongyao, Zishu, and Xiguahong," said Mei Xiangang, manager of the sweet potato base. "Through this year's experiments, we've identified varieties best suited to the local soil and plan to expand large-scale planting next year".

The harvest has not only benefited growers but also created flexible job opportunities for nearby residents, attracting villagers who have finished their own farm tasks. "Working at the base increases my income and helps me learn new planting techniques," said Wang Yicheng, a farmer from Kesen village.

Farmers harvest sweet potatoes in the fields. [Photo/Grassland Cloud]