From fertile idea, a fresh seedling business sprouts

She has also applied for nine patents in nurturing seedlings.

As she has become more proficient, clients from all over the country have been encouraged to choose her seedlings.

"Most of my customers introduce new clients to me once they've tried my seedlings and get a good harvest," she said.

Zhang's success at being a 'new' farmer has helped a lot of 'old' farmers.

Her cooperative works with 600 farmers, some of whom rent out their land to the cooperative and work as employees, while others rent greenhouses from the cooperative to plant vegetables of their own.

One such employee, Wang Jianchuan, enjoys the stability his job working for Zhang brings.

"I get to have a job with a good income at home," said Wang, who earns about 4,000 yuan ($577) per month.

Other farmers who prefer to plant their own vegetables get a discount if they buy seedlings from the cooperative, and can also get technical guidance.

"This way, their costs are lower but their benefit is higher," Zhang said. "I hope to work with more farmers to expand the seedling business."