Prof. Huang Jikun and Prof. Wang Dong led a team to study agriculture and rural development in Hotan, Xinjiang

Release date：2023/10/10　　Source： CCAP

From September 27th to 28th, 2023, a delegation led by Prof. Huang Jikun, Director of New Rural Development Institute Peking University, and Prof. Wang Dong, Vice Minister of Social Sciences and Director of the Think Tank Office of Peking University, embarked on an intensive two-day study tour of agriculture and rural development in Hotan County, Xinjiang.

        Key members of the delegation also included: Senior Researcher Hu Ruifa from Peking University's Institute of Modern Agriculture, Researcher Wang Yue from the China Agricultural Policy Research Center, Professors Hu Kai and Chen Feiping from the Institute of Rural Revitalization Strategies of Jiangxi Agricultural University, Dr. Chen Ming and Dr. Ma Tao from the China-foreign Humanities Exchange Research Base of Peking University, as well as Peking University alumnus Wu Xiaowei, General Manager of Shanghai Hangpi Intelligent Science and Technology Co. Receiving the delegation were Mahemuti Mamuti, Governor of Hotan County, Ainwar Adili, Member of the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee, Minister of the United Front Work Department and Deputy Secretary of the Party Group of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, as well as Chen Guochang, Secretary of the Party Group of the County Agricultural and Rural Bureau, Deputy Director General, and Zhu Xiaokang, Deputy Director General.

In the afternoon of September 27, the delegation first visited Xinjiang Zaojiao Rabbit Agricultural Development Co., Ltd. to gain an in-depth understanding of the development of the rabbit whole industrial chain system. Afterwards, the team went to the walnut trading market in Hotan County to investigate the development of the walnut industry and gain an in-depth understanding of its industrial chain. The day's research trip ended in Yotgan Old Town, where the team examined the implementation of cultural and tourism integration and cultural embellishment. On September 28, the delegation continued to visit Taoxiang Village in Hanyaerik Township, Hotan County, and gained an in-depth understanding of the progress of rural revitalization and beautiful countryside construction. Next, the team moved to the Yuebei Area of the 2023 Grain Capacity Enhancement Project in Hotan County to make a field visit to the improvement of desert soiling. The team focused on the development of modern facility agriculture industry at Shengshi Huaqiang Co.

At the end of the study tour, the research team had a discussion with the main leaders of Hotan County Party Committee and County Government and the heads of various departments in the evening. Mr. Zhang Kuncan, Secretary of Hotan County Party Committee, warmly welcomed Prof. K.K. Huang and his team, and raised the expectation of in-depth cooperation. Professor Huang Jikun put forward a series of suggestions for the development of Hotan County from the aspects of improving farmers' income, agricultural industry planning, desert resource development and saline-alkali land management, emphasizing the importance of industrialized development of agricultural products. He advocated the lengthening of the industrial chain, the formation of industrial agglomeration, and the cultivation of farmers' production skills, enabling enterprises to drive farmers to increase their incomes. Minister Wang Dong put forward specific suggestions on the development of culture, publicity and international exchanges in Hotan. At the end of the meeting, the two sides had an in-depth exchange on the future direction of cooperation between Hotan County and Peking University. This study trip aims to further strengthen the cooperation between Hotan and Peking University in agriculture and rural revitalization, and to provide strong support for local economic development and farmers' income increase.