Zhang Xiaoxiao (center) checks scallions grown in a greenhouse. CHINA DAILY

Elevating agriculture

Zhang Xiaoxiao, 35, chose to contribute to rural vitalization by upgrading the traditional growing methods of vegetables with progressive technologies.

A graduate of the University of Alberta in Canada in 2012 with a degree in finance, she relinquished a lucrative career in finance in a bustling metropolis to return to her hometown in Anqiu, Shandong province.

"I was born in the countryside, and I want to do something to make our hometown better," said Zhang, underscoring her deep connection to the agricultural landscape that shaped her values and aspirations.

Recognizing traditional scallion planting, which was time-consuming and laborious, Zhang sought to revolutionize the process.

Leading the charge at Shandong Wohua Agriculture Technology Co, she spearheaded the development of a fully mechanized approach to scallion farming, streamlining production and reducing costs.

Over three years, Zhang and her team built an intelligent scallion seedling center spanning 33 hectares, integrating advanced technologies for precise seeding, automated transplanting and intensive harvesting.

"These innovations not only boosted farmers' efficiency by over 20 times but slashed costs by 30 percent, mitigating risks associated with traditional farming practices," said Zhang.

In addition to upgrading the growing technologies, Zhang led her team to expand the company's business by developing scallion processing. Recently, her team has developed a preservative-free scallion-based sauce, which has performed well on the market.

"This business expansion not only created job opportunities for 300 local farmers but stimulated demand for scallions in the region," said Zhang.