Beneath the mulch, drip tapes deliver water and nutrients with precision—part of a tightly managed system aimed at boosting yields.

This field belongs to Xinjiang Hongtai Seed Industry Technology Co, a local cotton seed breeder and producer known for its high-performance varieties and technology-driven cultivation.

"In our demonstration fields, we've reached 670 kilograms per mu since October 2024," said Luo Cheng, director of the company's R&D center. "That's well above the national average of under 400 kilograms, and higher than many global benchmarks".