Visionary leadership transforms Dezhou village

[Video provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In the early 1990s, Xiyujia village in Bianlin town, Lingcheng district, Dezhou, faced significant challenges characterized by ineffective management and economic stagnation. The once barren land represented a lack of opportunities and growth for its residents, leaving many in despair.

Determined to alter this bleak narrative, Huang Yunzhou, the village Party branch secretary, stepped forward with a vision for change. Driven by a profound commitment to his community, he made the bold decision to turn the village's entire 960 mu (64 hectares) of land into a co-op. This transformation led to an astonishing increase in annual per capita income, soaring from less than 5,000 yuan ($700) to an impressive 35,000 yuan, while the collective income surpassed 1 million yuan.

Recognizing the potential of external partnerships, Huang actively sought collaborations with local businesses to further develop the community. He successfully introduced several agricultural companies to establish a modern agricultural industrial park, which now boasts 320 greenhouses. This initiative not only resolved funding challenges but also empowered villagers with advanced planting techniques and management expertise.

Today, the impact of these changes is palpable. Residents can find meaningful employment within their community and acquire valuable skills that enhance their livelihoods. With income generated from land transfer rents and wages earned through work in the agricultural park, villagers are experiencing a new era of prosperity and stability.

Xiyujia village's successful journey stands as a testament to how community initiatives and cooperation can turn hardship into sustainable development. (Edited by Hu Kaili)