Drip fed

Xinjiang is one of the most arid regions in the world, yet it still manages to be a major cotton and grain producer.

A majority of the corps' regimental farms sit on the edges of deserts or areas with severe water shortages. As a result, water-saving irrigation methods have been the main focus of the corps' development of agriculture.

In 2002, the corps' farmers adopted drip irrigation. Unlike traditional flood irrigation, which uses canals and ditches, drip irrigation takes place under plastic sheets and involves injecting water gently into the roots of crops through holes.

Using drip irrigation, 42-year-old cotton farmer Zhang Fanghua feels more in control of her cotton fields. Before, she had to stand by with a spade at the ready to make sure the water flowed in the right direction when released from an irrigation ditch. "Now with the automatic irrigation system and drip irrigation, I can irrigate my 100 mu (6.7 hectares) of land in less than three hours on my own," she said.

Huang said drip irrigation can reduce water consumption by 60 percent and fertilizer use by 70 percent, when compared with traditional irrigation methods. Drip irrigation also helps control diseases and pests, which in turn increases yields.

Decreasing fertilizer use also protects the environment as less pollutants from fertilizers reach lakes and underground water sources, he added.

More efficient farming methods free up farmers to earn income from other jobs.

Zhang has taken a part-time job at a clothing factory, which earns her an extra 1,000 yuan ($142) per month.

Last year, the average disposable income of residents in the region saw a 7.1 percent increase to 31,513 yuan, beating the national average of 28,228 yuan, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.