Previously, most of the work was done by hand, and Li quickly realized that changing that practice was not going to be easy. "It was really difficult to get the villagers to support me, as they had obvious doubts about my plan," he said. "Several times I wanted to give up, but I stuck it out."

Li spent the entire summer vacation in 2008 visiting 53 families. He said he patiently explained the advantages of agricultural mechanization, using the data and examples he had collected.

Through his persistence, he was able to raise 1.4 million yuan ($221,000) from the bank as well as relatives, friends and other villagers to start the Shenghua Agricultural Cooperative.

The group bought 20 pieces of agricultural machinery, including tractors, harvesters and rice transplanters, which resulted in a massive shift away from traditional farming methods.

"Besides bringing in modern equipment, it was also important to improve the villagers' skills," Li said, adding that he invited agricultural experts to teach the locals while also setting up a distance-education system.

Over the past decade, nearly 3,000 farmers have received training thanks to the programs, he added.

The cooperative now includes 300 families, with 120 in villages around Machang, and has assets worth a combined 30 million yuan. It has a professional agricultural machinery team, a rice processing plant and a high-yielding rice cultivation base, providing more than 600 jobs.

After becoming Party chief, Li said he began to think more about how to improve the villagers' lives.

Since 2014, the cooperative has applied to register several trademarks for the green rice it produces. The product has been well received by locals and customers in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in Guangdong province.

Li also began to promote internet sales channels among farmers in 2016 and established a park for rural e-commerce businesses.

The 2,800-square-meter park is divided into six functional parts: for entrepreneurial management; business incubation; displaying agricultural products; logistics and express delivery services; e-commerce training; and business negotiation.

Li said the annual average per capita income of Machang has reached 20,000 yuan, up by more than 12,000 yuan since the park was established.

"I was really excited after hearing the report General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered to the 19th CPC National Congress, in which rural work was given importance," Li added. "I'm more confident in doing my job well and leading my villagers to better lives."

Contact the writers at zhouhuiying@chinadaily.com.cn