STORY: Fig growing helps boost economy in Artux in China's Xinjiang
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 13, 2024
DATELINE: Jan. 17, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:08
LOCATION: URUMQI, China
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST: 
1. various of a fig production base in Artux
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): WANG SHENGYE, Head of a fig production base in Takuti Village, Artux
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): MAMATJAN KURBAN, Resident of Takuti Village, Artux

STORYLINE: 

Artux city in China's Xinjiang has a long history of fig planting, and is known as "a hometown of fig cultivation" in China.

The figs here used to ripen from July to October each year.

In 2023, Artux introduced new fig varieties, including one from the U.S., which significantly expanded the ripening time for figs.

Now, fresh figs are available on the market throughout the year.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): WANG SHENGYE, Head of a fig production base in Takuti Village, Artux
"We started harvesting figs on Oct. 20, 2023, and the harvesting can last until July 1, 2024. This effectively fills the market gap in winter, when figs were once unavailable for citizens in Artux, and also achieves staggered market availability. Local residents were also impressed that the cultivation of figs is so different from what they were used to, and goes far beyond their imagination."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): MAMATJAN KURBAN, Resident of Takuti Village, Artux
"After finishing the work of planting wheat and corn at home, I come to work at this place. The monthly salary is 4,000 yuan (about 556 U.S. dollars). This job is pretty good, and I'm happy about it."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Urumqi, China.
(XHTV)