Fungus and factories forge stable incomes and raise living standards

"When I was told there was a chance to learn a skill and get a stable job in the village, I grabbed it," she said.

Last year, the per capita income of Wushi's farmers rose to 9,089 yuan from 6,550 yuan in 2014, and the figure is expected to reach 10,198 yuan this year, according to the poverty alleviation office.

It noted that between 2014 and last year, 45,770 people from about 11,450 families were lifted out of poverty.

Wushi still has 4,697 impoverished families, but 1,297 of them are expected to climb above the poverty line this year, while the remainder will follow suit next year.

"We are confident that Wushi will reach its goal, thanks to the new factories that have created more jobs," Liu said.

"The most important thing is the change in the people. They are more motivated to strive for better lives, and the people who succeed set a good example for those left behind."

In addition to teaching workers, Atkam is now head of human resources at the embroidery factory.

"A new life is ahead," she said.

Aybek Askhar and Mao Weihua contributed to this story.