In the heart of winter, farmers buzz around to reap the rewards of the sea buckthorn harvest in Baiyang City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The berries on this hardy shrub ripen each year in August and September. They can linger on the trees, and so extend the harvesting season to a half-year. This harvest, farmers have been celebrating a fruitful yield against the backdrop of endless white plains.

"From August onwards, we gather a portion of the sea buckthorn and resume in October. The picking schedule adapts to orders and cooperative guidance, ensuring freshness throughout," said Peng Zhicong, a planter for the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.

The freshly harvested sea buckthorn swiftly makes its way to local refrigerators, undergoing separation and processing that forms an industrial chain. Beyond the fruit, a purpose is even found for the branches.

"After separation, the leftover straws are dispatched to breeding cooperatives, producing feed and serving as biomass fuel for burning practices," said Liu Zhonghong, leader of the sea buckthorn cooperative.

Presently, eight industrial zones and specialized cooperatives are fostering the development of local industries related to the crop.

"We aim to establish a comprehensive deep-production industrial chain for sea buckthorn. The existing planting area, covering 53,000 mu (3,500 hectares), will expand by 10,000 mu (660 hectares) annually. The goal is to achieve a planting area of 100,000 mu (6,660 hectares) with a production of 100,000 tonnes by 2028," said Li Peixian, regimental commander of the production corps' 170th division.

Beyond economic gains, this little red fruit also brings ecological perks. As a time-honored plant, sea buckthorn displays robust vitality, thriving in challenging environments such as the Gobi Desert, salt marshes and alpine regions.

Its presence not only benefits the local environment but also enhances soil quality, creating a win-win scenario.

(Cover is a screenshot.)