Villagers launch lucrative careers in sand-control, boosting income

Shi Guangyin, a 65-year-old villager from Dingbian county, Shaanxi province, established a sand-control company with other farmers to develop a system to benefit locals and the local environment.

In 1978, when the government issued a policy supporting afforestation projects in North China, aiming to curb desertification and soil erosion, Shi and some villagers wanted to get involved and to change the situation, launching their careers in sand control.

At first, Shi and six partners signed a contract with the township government to oversee 200 hectares of sand.