When Ma Chengyun reflects on his journey from subsistence farming to leading a thriving vineyard, he marvels at the unexpected turns his life has taken. Born in a mountainous region where families often struggled to harvest enough crops, Ma's future once seemed limited to tilling the same unforgiving soil as his ancestors.
But three decades ago, a government-led poverty alleviation initiative relocated his village to fertile plains with access to training and resources. 'We were taught not just to farm, but to farm strategically,' Ma explains. The program introduced cash crops like grapes, sparking a wine-making revolution in the region.
Today, Ma oversees a cooperatively owned vineyard exporting to 12 countries and regions. His story mirrors that of 98 million rural residents lifted from poverty through similar initiatives since 2012, according to World Bank data. With digital tools now connecting farmers to global markets, Ma's team uses live streams to showcase sustainable practices to buyers from Paris to Sydney.
As young professionals increasingly return to revitalize rural areas, Ma sees new potential: 'Our next challenge? Pairing organic wine with VR vineyard tours.'
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
