Graduates sought to help improve rural economies

Several relatives agreed to act as pilot projects to support Wang's move, and many villagers agreed to rent out their land once they realized that the development posed no risks.

The land is now used to grow crops such as millet, wheat and grapes to ensure a healthy range of produce.

Other local products such as eggs and tofu skins are sold through e-commerce platforms, including WeChat and Alibaba's Taobao stores, with revenue reaching about 10,000 yuan ($1,550) a day.

In 2016, Wang quit her government job to focus on her startup. She knew nothing about entrepreneurship before starting the business, so she explored every move step by step.

"I learned the details of e-commerce through experience, such as how to wrap eggs so they wouldn't be broken when the customer received them," she said.

Improvements

After the entire business chain had been established, the brand won more regular customers by improving its goods and services.

"There is little difference in the quality of agricultural produce grown in the same area, so details and service matter more," Wang said, citing the need to provide tear-proof packaging for millet as an example.

She also showed great consideration for vulnerable groups and provided additional services, such as exempting pregnant women from delivery fees.

In 2019, she started developing a grape-growing business in the village, working with rural cooperatives and providing job opportunities for 80 villagers.

Meanwhile, she opened retail stores in nearby Shenyang and in Shanghai, and integrated the online and offline businesses to further promote her brand.

At the height of the COVID-19 epidemic last year, she became a live-streamer and taught her employees－the oldest is in her 50s－how to sell their own products by livestreaming on video platforms.

As a pioneer in rural entrepreneurship, Wang has provided career guidance for students at Shenyang Agricultural University.

"I share my experience of struggling to get out of the village and finally returning. They don't have to start businesses from the ground because, frankly, it's not easy, but at least they need to set a goal and work hard for it after college," Wang said.

"Now, young people are more and more willing to go to the countryside, either trying a startup or finding a job in modern agriculture."

Support

Her startup has employed graduates from the agricultural university to make good use of their in-depth knowledge. Some were dispatched to the planting base to provide technical support.

In addition to providing such talent, the company has cooperated with the university, applying the results of scientific tests and new technologies to improve the quality of its agricultural produce.

At the beginning of the year, the young entrepreneur was appointed as the new Party chief of Shijiazi. The role, which she took over from her father, demands that she takes more responsibility for the development of the village and each resident's life, Wang said.

A high-speed rail link between Shenyang and Beijing opened in January, so it only takes villagers two hours to reach the capital. Wang already has plans to use this transportation advantage to develop tourism in the village.

"We can act as Beijing's vegetable garden, attracting people to spend their weekends and enjoy our healthy agricultural produce," she said.

"This village girl is on her way to rural vitalization. Talented young people who love the countryside and understand agriculture are always welcome to join us."