College graduates start successful businesses after returning to hometown in N China's Hebei

A batch of college graduates are returning to their hometown in Sanhe city of north China's Hebei Province to start their own businesses, injecting new vitality to local development.

Photo shows Ma Xiaoyu's family farm dubbed “Hengchang” in Sanhe city, north China's Hebei Province. (Photo/Gao Shu)

Ma Xiaoyu, 30, plants Sweet Sapphire grapes on his family farm dubbed “Hengchang” in Luzhuangzi village, Huangzhuang township, Sanhe. With an annual revenue of about 500,000 yuan (about $72,450), his farm provides job opportunities for nearly 20 villagers now.

Ma went back home in 2015 and transferred 40 mu (2.7 hectares) of land. Starting off with staple crops, he then chose to plant a cash crop instead. "With a relatively long period to grow, Sweet Sapphire grapes have a different harvesting season from other grape varieties, and can therefore be sold at a good price," said Ma. "It just took me three years to have a bumper harvest," he added. "About 2,000 kilograms of grapes can be harvested per mu every year, and no chemical fertilizers are applied," Ma introduced.

Photo shows Ma Xiaoyu and his Sweet Sapphire grapes in Sanhe city, north China's Hebei Province. (Photo/Gao Shu)

Another returning college graduate, Duan Ruixue, opened up a workshop for producing Sheng, a kind of traditional Chinese musical instrument, in Wangxinzhuang village, Huangzhuang township. His workshop provides services such as producing, repairing, maintaining and tuning the instruments, and has an annual output value of 500,000 yuan. The Sheng his workshop produces are sold all over the country.

"My workshop has received a growing number of clients and orders in recent years, and my life is getting better and better," he said with a smile.

A farmer picks a bunch of Sweet Sapphire grapes on Ma Xiaoyu's family farm dubbed “Hengchang” in Sanhe city, north China's Hebei Province. (Photo/Gao Shu)

Duan Ruixue shows off a Sheng, a kind of traditional Chinese musical instrument, in his workshop in Wangxinzhuang village, Huangzhuang township, Sanhe city, north China's Hebei Province. (Photo/Gao Shu)