The entrepreneurial story of Lan Zhizhong, a farmer from Tieshikou Town, Xinfeng County

"Planting navel oranges has greened the barren hills, opening a restaurant has developed an industry, and at the same time I have found a path to prosperity for myself. Now I run back and forth between the orchard and the restaurant every day. Although it is a bit tiring, seeing people in difficulty able to find work at their doorstep and being able to do what I can for them makes me feel at ease and fulfilled inside. This is also the original intention behind my entrepreneurship." On January 12, Lan Zhizhong, a farmer from Aoqiu Village, Tieshikou Town, Xinfeng County, told this writer.

Lan Zhizhong, now in his 40s, worked in transport when he was young and later ran an internet cafe and an animation arcade. In recent years, as living standards have risen, people's demand for fruit has grown steadily, and Xinfeng navel orange is the industry with the strongest local characteristics and the greatest development potential. In 2009, Lan Zhizhong invested more than 600,000 yuan to build a navel orange orchard of more than 40 mu. In managing the orchard, Lan Zhizhong practiced ecological planting and pollution-free management, carried out deep grass cultivation and nutrient deficiency correction, and installed drip irrigation and other equipment. The navel oranges he grows are deeply favored by consumers.

Lan Zhizhong relies on himself and starts his own business, while keeping the older folks and fellow villagers in his heart. Orchard management requires a large amount of manpower. In order to give back to society, when hiring people he first thinks of the villagers whose families are in difficulty. In recent years, he has arranged employment for more than 30 people in difficulty from the village and nearby areas, and in 2015 alone he hired 10 villagers whose families were relatively hard up to work in the orchard. "I am very grateful that he takes such good care of us. Working here, we have a stable income and can also take care of the children at home." Villager Zheng Wujiao said she is very satisfied with this stable job.

In order to arrange employment for more fellow villagers and neighbors, fulfill their wish to work at their doorstep, and raise their living standards, in 2015 Lan Zhizhong invested nearly one million yuan to open a large self-service restaurant in the county town. After the restaurant opened, Lan Zhizhong insisted on honest operation and strictly controlled food safety. From the purchase, washing and processing of raw materials to the cooking and serving of the dishes, he checked every step and standardized operations so that the general public could eat safely and with peace of mind.

Lan Zhizhong has not forgotten his original intention and still keeps the older folks and fellow villagers in his heart. From chefs to management staff, from waiters to cleaners, all the workers he hires are local farmers in difficulty. He said: "Now my restaurant provides employment for more than 20 people. Being able to do something truly practical for the older folks and fellow villagers makes me feel it is very meaningful."

"It is the country's preferential policies for mass entrepreneurship and innovation that inspired my enthusiasm for starting a business," Lan Zhizhong said. He wants to continue to carry forward the spirit of hard struggle, continue to do a good job in entrepreneurship and serve the general public. In the future, when he comes across good projects, he will continue to invest and start businesses, so that more farmer friends can work at their doorstep and be helped to get rich and reach a moderately prosperous life as soon as possible.