Gaining a foothold in coastal cities was once the goal of many college graduates from rural China, but a growing number are heading back to dig wealth from the farmland.
In 2013, Mi Chun left southern China's Guangdong Province, where he had worked since graduation and returned to his hometown Tongnan District in the hilly area of southwestern China's Chongqing Municipality, baffling his family.
They had no idea what Mi could grow on their unattended land scattered upon the hill, but family of five toiled away for two weeks on their 20,000 square meters of arable land.
There were no clocks in the field, and the summer in Chongqing was sweltering as the city is surrounded by mountains that trap heat.
Mi's family had to drag a 40 meter pipe up the hill, watering strawberry seedlings for seven hours from late afternoon until dusk.
Their efforts paid off. The fruit brings Mi an annual income of 300,000 yuan (43,540 U.S. dollars), much higher than what he made in the city.
There are more than 100 young entrepreneurs like Mi in Tongnan alone, and over 1 million nationwide. And their group keeps expanding.
"Most graduates come back with professional knowledge, new concepts and modern technology on agriculture," said Tang Bangfu, a local official.
The trend for entrepreneurs going back home echoes China's move to upgrade the agriculture industry. The government hopes well-educated graduates will inject new life and competition into traditional farming.
Before going back home, Zhang Tian worked as executive assistant in a listed company in Beijing, earning an annual salary of 300,000 yuan, while He Quan worked at a chemical company after obtaining his master's degree in 1998.
Seeing the huge potential in modern agriculture, they both went back to the countryside and opened online stores selling high quality produce.
Zhang plants 48 types of fruit, each covering less than 1,400 square meters of his farm. Doing this, he guarantees a good variety of produce and avoids overstocking. He also sells processed products such as fruit vinegar and wines.
Zhang said the agricultural economy entered a new era when farmers formed their own loyal consumer base and offer customized produce.
He Quan plants roses and has taken advantage of modern technology. Using more than 10 patents, he has developed a unique rose processing chain, and the wholesale price of the rose essential oil from his farm sells for up to 200,000 yuan per kilo.
"These graduates have the gene of innovation and e-commerce and can bring new blood to traditional agriculture, said Zheng Fengtian, professor at School of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Renmin University of China. "They are the ones to pin hope on for the supply-side reform of agriculture."
