In recent years, the development of rural industries, with local features, has brought family farms, across the country, to the fore in modern agriculture. The farms make villages more attractive, and the farms inject vitality into agriculture. The farms also energize farmers to make greater contributions to rural revitalization. 

Shi Chang's Family Farm 

Shi Chang, born in the 1980s, lives with her family in Kaoshan, a village in Wuchang, a city in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province. Shi ran a hair salon in the village until 2006, when she decided to close the salon and help her parents with their farming. 

To enrich and update her knowledge, Shi attended training in agricultural technologies, every year, and she often traveled to other areas of China to study the regions' agricultural-development practices. Within a few years, Shi's family had become the village's leader in the agricultural industry. 

In 2013, Shi was elected secretary of the Party (Communist Party of China) branch of the village. At that time, the majority of the village's residents were elderly. Also, the level of mechanization in agricultural production was low. Shi wanted to find a system, which would be a good fit with the village's conditions, to upgrade agricultural production, and in turn help promote the region's development. 

Shi's husband, Guan Fujun, is good at operating machines. During extensive research, Shi and Guan learned the land in the village was ideal for growing corn, soybeans and millet. 

Shi had several discussions about the village's development with village cadres. They eventually agreed the village should promote the operation of family farms as the best way to promote the area's agricultural development. 

Given Shi's family's success in the agricultural industry, her family was among the first to establish a farm in the village. 

Initially, Shi's farm encompassed five hectares. Shi often shared her planting experiences with the other villagers, and she helped them update their agricultural knowledge. Gradually, her farm began making a profit, which attracted villagers to partner with the farm. 

As the farm's scale expanded, unified operation and management systems were adopted, and large machines were used to plant, cultivate and harvest the crops. This helped reduce the cost of production, which in turn helped increase profits. 

Shi's family has always attached importance to the quality of production. They carefully select the seeds, and they highlight field management, especially the prevention and treatment of pests. 

Their hard work continues to pay off. Shi's family farm now encompasses 30,000 mu (2,000 hectares), and it yields in excess of 20,000 tons of corn annually. Several hundred women participate in the farm's agricultural production each year. Shi also helps women grow vegetables in their gardens. The villagers' annual average income has increased in recent years. 

As one of the village's leaders, Shi has promoted the concept of food conservation, by hanging posters and giving lectures. Food conservation has become a custom of the villagers. 

In 2020, Shi was named the "top corn producer" of Heilongjiang. She has been named a March 8th Red-Banner Holder of Heilongjiang and a National Woman Pacesetter for Achievements. In May this year, Shi's family was named a National Most Beautiful Family. 

Huang Lei's Family Farm 

Huang Lei is a farmer in Litong, a village in Zhengyang County, in Zhumadian, a city in Henan Province. In 2006, after working elsewhere for many years, Huang returned to his hometown. He and his wife, Cheng Xia, entered into a contract to use 300 mu (20 hectares) to grow crops. That year, they earned a net profit of 200,000 yuan (US $27,479). 

Given their success during the first few years, Huang and Cheng decided to expand their operations. In 2009, they signed a contract for another 2,200 mu (147 hectares). Huang hired a senior agricultural technician to be his technical advisor, and he studied technologies on his own to ensure their production was highly efficient. In 2009, the farm yielded 500 kilograms of wheat per mu (0.07 hectare), and 550 kilograms of corn per mu. That year, the farm's total yield was 1,800 tons of crops. 

To increase profits, Huang has been cooperating with research institutes. He has signed contracts with Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and its branch in Zhumadian, involving the cultivation of improved varieties of crops. His farm has become a production base, on which he cultivates and produces improved varieties of wheat and peanuts each year for the academy. 

In 2011, Huang established his family farm, and he invited his fellow villagers to get involved in the large-scale planting. The farm employs agricultural technicians, who provide the farmers with technical guidance before and during production. 

Huang and Cheng have worked with big e-commerce companies to promote the "Internet plus modern agriculture" mode as a means of increasing sales of their crops. 

They have sold their green, high-quality agricultural products online, via a special channel. The farmers who hold shares in Huang's farm receive a minimum profit, and they can receive a bonus, based on the number of their shares. The farm has evolved into an industrial chain that links production, processing and sales. 

In September 2022, Huang received the first prize at a national-level farm-skills competition. 

Huang and Cheng live a frugal life, and they consistently teach their sons to be thrifty. The family often participates in public-welfare activities, and they donate money to help university students and households coping with difficulties. Huang and Cheng have also donated money to renovate roads in the village. During traditional festivals, the couple visit and take food to those who live in a home (in Zhengyang County) for severely disabled people. 

Huang has been named a national leading large-scale grain producer and trader, and also one of China's top-10 outstanding farmers. His family has been named a National Most Beautiful Family, and his farm has been designated a demonstration family farm of Henan Province.

Photos Supplied by Interviewees

(Women of China English Monthly September 2023 issue)