Bian Xiuhui's heart fills with delight as she watches the effects of spring breezes blowing gently across the company's experimental seed fields. Bian, a seed-quality inspector with Yangzijiang Seed Industry Co., Ltd. (in Yangzhou, a city in East China's Jiangsu Province), is somewhat of a celebrity in Zhoushan, a town in Yangzhou. Why? Given her remarkable performance in using scientific and technological knowledge in agricultural production, she was named one of the Most Beautiful Industrial Workers in Yangzhou in May 2022. 

No Regrets 

Bian is a native of Wubao, a village in Zhoushan. "My father has devoted much effort to popularizing agricultural techniques among farmers. In 2011, he established Yangzijiang Seed Industry Co., Ltd. Influenced by my father, I developed an interest in agricultural technology when I was a little girl," recalls Bian. 

In July 2019, a short time after she graduated from university, Bian began working at a medical-device company in Suzhou, a city in Jiangsu Province. However, she was not content with her life, as she wanted to do something to help rural residents (in her hometown) live better lives. In early 2020, she returned home to join her father in running his business. 

As the youngest worker in the company, Bian knew little about the seed industry. However, her zest for agricultural science inspired her to learn (from her father) various agricultural production skills, and the skills needed to run the business. 

Bian has never regretted her decision to return home to help her father run the company. "The seed industry, which is referred to as the 'agricultural chip,' is a key element of agricultural production, a cornerstone to ensuring national food security, and a lifeline to promoting modern agricultural development ... Starting with trifle matters, I believe I can do well in my work," says Bian. 

Skilled Worker 

On the first day she began working at the company, Bian learned how to cultivate and transplant rice seedlings in a field. She fell into a ditch and was soaked all over. Some of her acquaintances suggested women should not do such toilsome work. However, Bian, a strong-willed woman, persevered, and she worked diligently. 

As a seed-quality inspector, Bian examines every seed, carefully, before it is stored in the warehouse. That ensures farmers buy qualified seeds. She never complains, even though she often works around the clock. 

During the past several years, Bian has helped many farmers solve technical problems in their production. Once, she helped a rural resident, who cultivated more than 1,000 mu (67 hectares) of rice, choose a highly efficient herbicide. That helped the resident save both money and the trouble of hiring workers to weed the fields. 

"Before the crops' seeds are sold in the market, all new varieties of crops (including rice and wheat) must pass through a three-year approval procedure (including trial planting and demonstration) in our laboratory," says Bian. 

From 6-11 a.m. every morning, she observes and records the seeds' growth in the fields. To verify the accuracy of data, Bian sometimes goes to the fields daily, for several consecutive days, walking nearly 30,000 steps a day. 

"During the seed-cultivation period, I work in the fields every day. As a result, I have sun-weathered skin," says Bian. "I'm a jack of all trades — a seed-quality inspector, a recorder of the seeds' growth, and a seed custodian and shipper." 

Developing New Agricultural Techniques 

"I'll work harder to improve my professional skills, so I can provide quality seeds to more farmers," Bian has been quoted as saying. From her simple words, one may understand her original aspiration — helping farmers live better lives. 

Many rural residents (in Wubao and neighboring villages) have praised Bian for her dedication to promoting the development of the seed industry in her hometown. During each seed-harvesting season, Bian has hired many elderly residents (in Wubao) to collect seeds in the company's experimental fields. As a result, the residents have increased their families' incomes. 

During the past several years, Bian has led her team in applying for four technological patents related to the cultivation of wheat and rice seeds. 

Under the guidance of Bian and other agricultural technicians, the company has cultivated four new varieties of both wheat and rice. The company has obtained two Chinese patents for its techniques of cultivating two varieties of wheat. That, in turn, has generated tremendous economic benefits. 

Last year, the Publicity Department of Yangzhou Municipal Party (Communist Party of China) Committee named Bian a moral model (in Yangzhou), who performed exceedingly well in being dedicated to her career. Bian told media she will lead her team in developing new agricultural techniques, and in helping farmers both increase agricultural production and promote sales of their products. She also vows to make greater efforts to promote the development of Zhoushan's seed industry, and to help more rural residents (in her hometown) live better lives.

Photos from VCG

(Women of China English Monthly April 2024)