Sand-grown yams in Chengchuan town. [Photo/Otog Front Banner Integrated Media Center]

More than 32,000 mu (2,133.33 hectares) of Changbai yams are thriving in the sandy fields of Chengchuan town in Otog Front Banner, Ordos city, as farmers step up field management ahead of the harvest.

Once considered barren sandy land, the fields have been transformed into productive farmland through the cultivation of the water-efficient crop, which has become an important source of income for local farmers.

The shift was initially met with hesitation, as cultivating Changbai yams requires an investment of more than 10,000 yuan ($1,492.54) per mu.

To encourage farmers to make the switch, the town has adjusted its crop structure by replacing traditional, water-intensive corn with higher-yielding, water-saving crops suited to the area's sandy soil, abundant sunlight, and large temperature differences between day and night.

Local authorities provide a subsidy of 200 yuan per mu for yam cultivation, compared with 35 yuan for corn. The town has also implemented measures including groundwater and electricity controls and drip irrigation to support water-efficient farming.

The yams require about 10 rounds of irrigation during their 140-day growing cycle, using around 125 cubic meters of water per mu – more than 72 percent less than corn.

At the same time, yields and farmers' returns have increased significantly. Changbai yams can produce up to 4,000 kilograms per mu, generating a net income of about 10,200 yuan per mu at a market price of 2.5 yuan per kg, more than seven times the net income made from corn.

Locally-grown yams are also sold in Jiangsu, Shandong, Hebei and Shanxi provinces, gaining recognition for their quality and taste.

Today, the yam industry has become a key part of Chengchuan town's efforts to make efficient use of sandy land, conserve water, and increase rural incomes.