A wave of digital transformation is changing the face of rural farming in the Chinese mainland. In Huashan Village of Mulan County, Chen Lili is leading the charge by livestreaming her latest rice harvest and connecting with customers nationwide using just her smartphone 🚜🌾.
Chen, who once dreamed of leaving the countryside after a career in Beijing’s online media industry, discovered her passion when her first livestream in December 2021 brought in 6,000 orders within hours. "Selling agricultural products doesn’t require a big company – just a smartphone and sincere storytelling," she explains.
Taking a bold leap in May 2022, Chen decided to leave her urban job to focus on rural entrepreneurship. The transition wasn’t easy—her husband even gave up his job in Beijing—but her authentic journey quickly resonated with viewers, boosting her follower count to over one million in just a few months!
In 2023, Chen expanded her impact by signing rice procurement contracts with local farmers. Villagers like Ma Xiuying benefited greatly, dedicating more of their land to high-quality rice varieties with guaranteed buy-back prices. By 2024, this initiative covered 400 hectares, helping 90 farming households increase their collective income by 1.8 million yuan (nearly $250,000)!
From the fertile plains of northeast China to the misty mountains of the southwest, smart technology is revolutionizing agriculture. Chen’s inspiring journey shows that digital tools and genuine storytelling can break new ground and transform rural communities for the better. 📱💡
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
