Growing business from the ground

In 2011, Chen Jianbo realized the abundant reed shoots in his hometown of Sihushan in Yuanjiang, Hunan province, were not being fully maximized.

He decided to set up a company to expand the use of the plants as a source of food. Five years on, Chen's reed-shoot processing company has helped improved the lives of villagers in the area.

The output value of his Hunan Pingzhi Agriculture Science and Technology Development Co hit 60 million yuan ($9.02 million) last year and is expected to double this year.