Nurali Kasmu, 32, comes from a family deeply rooted in the camel industry in Yiwu county, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China. Nine years ago, his father retired, prompting Kasmu to resign from his job at an energy company and return home to continue the family's camel farming business.

In 2014, Zhonghe Camel Cooperative was established, specializing in camel breeding and the sale of fresh camel milk. With assistance from the local government, the cooperative, led by Nurali Kasmu as its president, now boasts 22 staff members. Spanning an area of approximately 8 acres, the cooperative's breeding base covers 3,000 square meters and is home to over 800 camels.

Nurali Kasmu poses for a photo at the Zhonghe Camel Cooperative, Yiwu county, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Dec. 12, 2023. [Photo by Wang Ziteng/China.org.cn]

Kasmu's life has improved significantly since he started managing the cooperative. "The management model not only reduces worries compared to before but also increases incomes," he said. "With milk sales, the cooperative's annual income exceeds 2 million yuan (about $278,428). I've now purchased a house and a car."

Camels are one of the primary types of livestock in the region. Through systematic management and profit-sharing, the cooperative stimulates income growth for farmers and herders, thereby promoting local economic development.

Kasmu explained that the cooperative has brought about huge changes to the livelihoods of locals. "Previously, each household used to raise camels individually, often suffering losses due to wolf attacks. However, the cooperative has provided a sense of security for households by allowing them to entrust their camels here, letting them do their own business while enjoying the cooperative's dividends," he said.

Keram Wuj at the Zhonghe Camel Cooperative, Yiwu county, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Dec. 12, 2023. [Photo by Wang Ziteng/China.org.cn]

Every day at 8:30 a.m., Keram Wuj arrives at the cooperative to conduct quarantine work for the camels. Wuj, aged 60 and covered by retirement insurance, has seen an increase in his income since entrusting his camels to the cooperative. He earns 20,000 yuan (about $2,784) in dividends each year from his over 20 camels, alongside a monthly salary of 4,000 yuan (about $557) for his daily work.

The cooperative's main buyer of its camel milk is Xinjiang Zhongtuo Biotechnology, a camel product production base that integrates research, production and sales. With a strong commitment to local camel farming, the company currently operates five production lines and can process 30 metric tons of raw camel milk each day.

Zhao Junli, the company's general manager, said: "In the past seven years, the company, with Yiwu county's exceptional natural conditions, has seen its camel population grow from 1,000 to over 8,000. Compared to the cattle and sheep industry, the camel industry holds greater development potential in Xinjiang. A single camel can bring at least 15,000 yuan in income to local residents annually."

A staff member of Xinjiang Zhongtuo Biotechnology introduces the company's camel dairy products, in Yiwu county, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Dec. 13, 2023. [Photo by Wang Ziteng/China.org.cn]

A staff member of Xinjiang Zhongtuo Biotechnology takes a sample of camel milk, in Yiwu county, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Dec. 13, 2023. [Photo by Wang Ziteng/China.org.cn]

The company is active in fulfilling its social responsibilities. Zhao mentioned that they regularly visit and support local elderly individuals above 60 years of age and provide them a monthly subsidy. Additionally, the company provides financial assistance for local college students.

Kulzad Hanahat, a staff member of Xinjiang Zhongtuo Biotechnology, in Yiwu county, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Dec. 13, 2023. [Photo by Wang Ziteng/China.org.cn]

Xinjiang Zhongtuo Biotechnology also provides its employees with ample welfare benefits. Kulzad Hanahat, 29, who is a packaging supervisor at the company and has worked there for over two years, highly praised the company's benefits. "I start work at 9 a.m. and receive overtime pay. The company also offers free accommodation and provides subsidies during ethnic festivals," Hanahat said.

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