Entrepreneurial opportunities bring young Chinese back to countryside

As rapid urbanization continues, some youngsters are bucking this trend and pursuing better career prospects in the countryside.

Yan Qiang was born in Chongqing Municipality in southwest China. After graduating from college last year he rented a plot of land in the suburbs of Changsha City in Hunan Province and started a community supported agriculture (CSA) company.

His customers want to support local farms and do so by paying for a share of the expected harvest at the start of each growing season.

"Many of my peers are passionate about starting their own business and some have discovered opportunities in the countryside," he said.

Born in a small village in the southern Hainan Province, Chen Tongkui was the first in his village to go to college. After graduating he worked as a journalist in Shanghai for seven years, before leaving in 2009 to return to his hometown to become a farmer.

Since then, he has championed ecological agriculture and agricultural tourism to his fellow farmers.

Chen also organizes a forum for college graduates interested in working in the countryside. The event, which has been held for three years, attracts hundreds of participants each year.

IN THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

Today the youth are choosing to go back to countryside, thanks to the government's emphasis on agriculture and the Internet.

China released its annual "Number One Central Document", the first major policy document of 2015, on Sunday, which pledged further coordinated development of cities and villages. This is the 12th consecutive year that the document has focused on agriculture.

In February 2014, a Ministry of Agriculture guidance suggestion asked local governments to issue policies that would encourage graduates to establish farms.

Meanwhile, the boom of China' e-commerce sector, combined with the development of transportation and logistics, are also supporting countryside entrepreneurs.

Many countryside entrepreneurs depend on computers and mobile devices to support their daily tasks.

Three years ago, Liu Jingwen launched an e-commerce company for local farmers in Xinjiang's Kashgar Prefecture.

Recalling his first visit to Kashgar three years ago, Liu said: "Their agriculture and traditional businesses were well established, but they knew nothing about e-commerce. So, I jumped at this opportunity."

According to Liu, his website has really improved the farmer's incomes.

"Uncle Murtal only made 6,000 yuan (960 U.S. dollars) during his first year of selling online, but this soared to 25,000 yuan in the second year." he said.

INVIGORATE THE COUNTRYSIDE

China's urbanization rate exceeded 54 percent in 2014, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, meaning that society has become increasingly more polarized.

Yang Tuan, researcher with Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said: "Rural areas lack talent, which is impeding development. This reverse trend will inject vitality into the countryside economy."

The young are not only bridging the development gap between rural and urban areas, but are also promoting mutual understanding and trust through business connections.

However, starting a business in the countryside is no easy task.

According to a poll of over 4,000 college graduates majoring in agriculture-related subjects, about 67 percent were interested in starting businesses in the countryside, but less than 7 percent actually took action.

A report on the results, published by Shandong Jianzhu University last August, found that underdeveloped infrastructure, financing difficulties and lack of experience were some of the major obstacles.

It suggested that governments should further promote preferential policies for countryside entrepreneurs, and colleges should offer relevant courses to better prepare students.

Moreover, attitudes toward farming must change.

When Yan Qiang told his parents that he was going to start a farming business in the suburbs, his parents were embarrassed of their son's chosen career path.

"You have to be courageous and must stand firm, even when faced with stereotypical opinions," Yan said.