In October, the oat grass fields in Jirigalangtu town, Hanggin Banner, stretch across 11,000 mu (733 hectares), standing tall and verdant. This lush greenery not only injects vitality to the autumn landscapes but also represents a new hope for local income growth.

The thriving oat grass fields in Jirigalangtu town. [Photo/WeChat account of Nuan News]

Hanggin Banner faces significant soil salinization, making traditional crops difficult to cultivate. Oat grass, however, thrives in saline and arid conditions, offering soil improvement, windbreak, and sand-fixing benefits, alongside stable revenue. As a high-quality forage, it supports nearby livestock farming, creating a virtuous cycle of "ecological restoration + income growth", yielding both ecological and economic benefits.

"Oat grass can be harvested twice a year, with each mu yielding around 800 kilograms per harvest. This translates to a net income of 600 ($85) to 700 yuan per mu, a considerable profit," said Deng Dequan, project manager of the oat grass cultivation base.

Now, oat grass, with its advantages of "dual-season harvests, low costs, stable orders, and salt tolerance", has become a new path to prosperity for herdsmen in Jirigalangtu town. It showcases significant industrial value and development potential.