Guo Fengqing plants melon seeds on a sowing machine, Heshuo county, China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 13. Sowing before Grain Rain, the sixth of the 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese calendar, is considered to be the best time for growing plants in the region. /CFP

Lu Fengyun collects fresh vegetables for sale from the vegetable greenhouse in her yard, Heshuo county, China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 15. The local government has set up cooperatives to help farmers sell their products to the market, a means of alleviating poverty among rural residents. /CFP

A farmer uses ropes and wire nettings to support watermelon fruits, Heshuo county, China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 11. /CFP

A farmer drives a truck to transport chili seedling, Heshuo county, China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 15. /CFP