"It was mentioned in the government work report that China will boost agricultural production, promote all-round rural revitalization, refine and strengthen policies in support of agriculture, continue promoting development in areas lifted out of poverty, ensure good harvests, and promote growth of rural incomes. These words strike a chord with the people," Li Yehong, an NPC deputy, says.

Li is also president of Yesheng Fresh Fruit Cooperative, in Dushan, a village in Xuyi County, in East China's Jiangsu Province, and general manager of Xuyi Shima Mountain Eco-Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., in Xuyi County.

Li has been dedicated to rural development for many years. The fact the central government attaches great importance to agriculture, including introducing a host of preferential policies, strengthens her confidence as she continues working in the countryside.

When she talks about the changes in her hometown during the past five years, Li says, "In the past, people didn't have much interest in farming. Now, things are different. The biggest change in the countryside is that young people have come back, and mechanized, modern agriculture has helped increase people's incomes."

Young people, Li believes, are the core force of modern agriculture. To retain those workers, and to attract more young people to return and work in their hometowns, it is necessary to expand the agricultural industry, Li says.

She made several suggestions during the NPC. First, China should establish primary-level talent pools, to support the development of profitable and featured agriculture, and China should introduce more preferential policies, so migrant workers will return home and start businesses in their hometowns. Second, China should strengthen support for agricultural e-commerce platforms, and set up an order-based business model that connects e-commerce platforms with families in difficulty. Third, China should implement good planning and management in the development of eco-agriculture, including building a relevant supervision platform. Fourth, China should cultivate leading agricultural- and sideline-product enterprises to ensure large-scale, branded and standardized production of agricultural and sideline products.

Agriculture is the backbone of the national economy. To promote a sound economic structure that facilitates green, low-carbon and circular development, Li is calling for reducing use of chemical fertilizers, increasing use of organic fertilizers and developing green and organic agriculture, which she believes will play an important role in the promotion and implementation of both the Healthy China initiative and the rural revitalization strategy.

"As NPC deputies, we must work for the better future of the people, and for the development of society. I hope China will give greater support to grassroots ecological agriculture, and help accelerate its development. I will lead women's participation in and contributions to rural revitalization, and I will lead more villagers in their efforts to achieve mutual development and common prosperity," Li says.

Photo Supplied by Li Yehong

(Women of China English Monthly April 2022 issue)