Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Dushanbe, September 26 (Xinhua) — In mid-September, cotton plants grow quietly in a cotton field in the Danghara district of the Khatlon region in southwestern Tajikistan. In the distance, cotton harvesters rumble as they collect, press, and package the snow-white cotton, turning it into round, plump bales that are neatly stacked in the field.
“The cotton has grown well this year, it’s a good year!” Chinese cotton agronomist Liu Jiaxian tells us under the scorching midday sun, not noticing how sweat has long since soaked his clothes.
Liu Jiaxian has been working in Tajikistan for 16 years. "The Dangara district is located in the Vakhsh River valley. There are large temperature fluctuations between day and night, and long hours of daylight. The climate and hydrological conditions are ideal for cotton cultivation. It's a well-known cotton region," he explains.
In 2014, as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, an agricultural and textile industrial park was established in Danghara, taking advantage of the complementary production capabilities of China and Tajikistan. A demonstration zone was established with a full production chain, including cotton growing, raw cotton processing, spinning, weaving, dyeing, and garment manufacturing. This contributed to local employment and income growth, and enabled Danghara cotton growers to shift from raw material exports to high-value-added products, tapping into a broader global market.
"Local farmers used to harvest approximately 100-odd kg of cotton per mu (approximately 0.067 hectares). In recent years, we've improved the soil and modernized the cotton field irrigation system using Chinese technology, sharing Chinese cotton breeding and cultivation techniques with local residents, and now the yield can reach over 400 kg per mu," Liu Jiaxian proudly notes. "Now, cotton growers express positive emotions when Chinese technology is mentioned."
As mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Tajikistan deepens over the past 10 years, the agricultural and textile industrial park in Danghara has undergone four stages of development. The results of cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Tajikistan have improved the financial situation of local residents and added smiles and joy to their lives.
Muslim Kayumov, a 24-year-old native of Dangara, is a translator at the agricultural and textile industrial park. He started working at the park three months ago. He is eager to grow professionally.
"I'm proud that my small hometown has developed a large industry, and that a small cotton boll has become a path to happiness. It truly helps local people find employment, providing decent wages and vocational training. Young people no longer have to travel far from home to earn money; local residents are proud to work in the textile park," M. Kayumov says, not hiding his joy.
He studied Chinese for six years and traveled to China to study. He is very fond of his Chinese name, Li Yan, which his Chinese teachers gave him. It signifies perseverance and tenacity, thanks to which Muslim mastered Chinese perfectly and even took second place in the "Chinese Language Bridge" competition in Tajikistan.
"I feel needed here. I can use my skills to build a bridge of communication between employees from China and Tajikistan. This brings me a sense of professional satisfaction," says M. Kayumov with a sincere smile. "At the same time, I'm also gaining more knowledge in management at work, which lays a solid foundation for my professional development."
When Xinhua reporters entered the park's production facility, they saw a spacious, clean room filled with numerous Chinese textile machines. Local workers were busily engaged in dyeing, sewing, and other tasks. Among them were many local women.
"Thank you to the factory near my home, which allowed me to realize my dream and become a true professional," said Sharola Davlatova. Previously, most women in Dangara were housewives, staying home with their children, or selling at the market.
"I really appreciate the opportunity to work here, and I love learning. I find working in the factory interesting, and I always want to learn more and more," she says. Now, Sh. Davlatova has not only mastered textile and sewing technologies, but also learned how to design clothing and is studying Chinese on her own.
Sh. Davlatova picked up a pair of handmade cotton gloves and handed them to the reporters: "Try them on. Are they soft and comfortable?" She proudly noted that these products will be exported to Turkey, Belarus, Italy, and other countries, so that consumers there can appreciate the quality of Tajik products.
"Over more than ten years of working at the factory, I grew from a laborer into a technical specialist," said Bakhodur Kosimov, who was involved in the factory's construction from the very beginning. "At first, I didn't understand anything, but thanks to two Chinese mentors who patiently taught me, I learned how to sew and operate the equipment within three months," he reminisced. "Thanks to the Chinese mentors for teaching us professional skills and showing us the path to professional growth!"
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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