A Huazhong Agricultural University graduate goes to the countryside to raise pigs and leads farmers to prosperity, with annual output value reaching 6 million yuan
From an ordinary clerk earning 1,200 yuan a month, to a corporate executive with an annual salary of 200,000 yuan, and then to losing everything and coming to a rural village in Macheng to become an ordinary pig farmer, the life of Yan Hua, a post-80s graduate of Huazhong Agricultural University, has been full of twists and turns. But with a spirit that never admits defeat, he gritted his teeth and persevered, and finally became a winner in life.
Yan Hua is from Chuxiong Prefecture, Yunnan Province, and graduated from Huazhong Agricultural University in June 2008. After graduation, he went to Guangdong Qingyuan Yingyi Ecological Breeding Co., Ltd. to work hard. He started as an ordinary feeder with a monthly salary of only 1,200 yuan. After 4 years of accumulation and hard work, he finally rose from an ordinary feeder to pig farm manager.
Yan Hua: At that time, I could take home 9,000 yuan a month, and I could also participate in a dividend of about 5% each year. At that time, my annual income could reach about 200,000 yuan.
An annual salary of 200,000 yuan was truly extraordinary among migrant workers at the time. But good times did not last long. Because the pig farm was built next to a Country Garden property, it had a relatively large impact on the overall environment. At the end of 2012, the government issued a notice to the pig farm ordering rectification and suspension of production within a time limit. With no other choice, Yan Hua had to find another way out.
Yan Hua: When the boss was leaving, he said, the farm can't keep going now, so you should go back and start your own business. I will select some sows from my own farm for you as your startup capital, and give them to you at the lowest price.
The boss's words deeply moved Yan Hua and truly touched his heart. After discussing with his family, in early 2013, Yan Hua brought 150 sows from Guangdong to Macheng, beginning his arduous entrepreneurial journey.
Yan Hua: One of my aunts was the women's director in Baiguo. At that time, she found Secretary Wang of Lengpuhe Village. There was a whole-village advancement project here. There were eleven pig pens to rent out. We also communicated with Secretary Wang at the time, and Secretary Wang was still very supportive of us.
When they heard that a highly educated talent from Huazhong Agricultural University was coming to Baiguo Town to engage in breeding, the local government departments were very supportive.
Li Xiaogang of the Baiguo Town Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Technical Service Center: He is one of the few high-level breeding talents in Macheng, so to speak. As far as I know, Macheng has not seen any Huazhong Agricultural University graduate engaged in the breeding industry. I think he is the most professionally matched.
Since Yan Hua studied animal quarantine in school, and had several years of experience at a pig farm in Guangdong, raising pigs himself came naturally to him. But what Yan Hua did not expect was that when he came to Macheng to engage in breeding, he fell flat on his face right from the start. The first half of 2013 was still okay, but in the second half of the year, the pig market continued to decline. Not only did pig prices fall to the bottom, but feed prices also remained high, causing Yan Hua to suffer a crushing loss.
Li Xiaogang of the Baiguo Town Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Technical Service Center: When he came in 2013, the market was bad. He had already lost more than one million yuan, and he had reached the point where he could not continue.
When one side is in trouble, all sides come to help. At Yan Hua's most difficult moment, fortunately his family and government departments gave him full support and helped him get through the crisis together. After learning of Yan Hua's situation, village leaders reduced part of his rent and also gave strong support in terms of policy.
Yan Hua: In June 2014, I bought price insurance for more than 2,000 fattening pigs. By June 2015, the insurance company honored the price insurance for the more than 2,000 pigs we bought in 2014. The government compensated me nearly more than 100,000 yuan. This sum of money could be said to be my lifeline.
After the clouds cleared, the sun finally appeared. In the second half of 2015, pig prices began to rise all the way. Now, Yan Hua has not only earned back all the money he lost, but also has quite a good surplus.
Li Xiaogang of the Macheng City Baiguo Town Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Technical Service Center: He is doing quite well now. He has bought a car and also bought a house in the city. In Baiguo, he counts as a bright spot.
At present, Yan Hua's pig farm has 300 sows in stock, 2,000 fattening pigs marketed annually, and an annual output value of up to six million yuan. At this point, Yan Hua has not only become rich himself, but has also led surrounding farmers out of poverty toward prosperity.
Yan Hua: For the 18 small and medium-sized farmers around me, I provide certain technical support, plus the supply of piglets. They have now fully integrated into this breeding industry, and they have indeed made money this year.
Li Xiaogang of the Macheng City Baiguo Town Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Technical Service Center: He is a market entity, driving 18 households in two villages, Lengpuhe Village and Tuanfan Village. Through his mentoring and guidance, the 18 poor households have now shaken off poverty. I think he is a remarkable aspiring young man who has made contributions to our Macheng.