Success story blooms amid desert roses

Storm havoc

Liu said that in freezing temperatures in 2012, bulldozers leveled 67 hectares of land in the sand dunes. Roses were planted after trees in woods shielding the area from sandstorms grew to full height.

However, raging storms destroyed almost half the rose crops, which were then replanted as many as six times, costing Liu's company a considerable amount of money.

"This was a grave miscalculation that we made in the early stages," Liu said.

The site is now a tourist attraction — catering to arrivals from across the country, and has also become a popular choice for couples' wedding photos.

Chinese-style wooden pavilions and corridors line the route to a sightseeing stand, which offers views of vast deserts and lush rose crops in the distance.

Farmers dressed in clothing to screen themselves from the sun carry braided bags as they pick rose petals.

The petals are harvested in three 14-day periods from May to August. During this time, three rose varieties — selected to be grown on the plantation for their drought-resistant properties — blossom in tandem.

Over the years, the business has created tens of thousands of seasonal jobs for those harvesting and weeding the plants.

One such worker is Amina Metsun, 36, who grows wheat on a small area of a sandy field a few kilometers from the plantation.

On a recent work day, she rode her electric bike to the plantation, before starting her petal-picking duties at 7 am.

A mother of three, she returns home for lunch and then works until sunset. She earns about 200 yuan ($28) a day from the job, which requires training to discern quality rose petals.

"Sometimes I take a rest in the shade if my children do not need me at home," she said.