Supporting Rural Youth Entrepreneurship to Revive the Countryside

Empowering the present, sustaining the future

According to a recent statement by the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, China has won a defining victory in its fight against poverty, and by the end of 2020, all poor people in the country will be lifted out of poverty. To fulfill its corporate social responsibility, HSBC China has committed to enhancing employment and supporting eradication of poverty in the country. Since 2006, the bank has partnered with local poverty alleviation service centers to implement projects across a number of provinces and cities, supporting various vulnerable groups such as returning youths, poor farmers and rural left-behind women in starting their own businesses for higher income. Tan Jianping ("Ping") from Enping, Guangdong Province, is a successful example of rural youths returning to their hometown for entrepreneurship.

Ping was born in Gaotang VillageEnping, Guangdong Province. After graduating from junior high school, he left home to work in the cities like most of his peers from the village. After years of working away from home, Ping came up with the idea of returning to his hometown to start his own business. With the help of a joint project between HSBC China and Sichuan Haihui Poverty Alleviation Service Center, he went back to his home village and established the Gaotang Breeding Cooperative with like-minded fellow villagers, using technology to raise ducks and geese.

Ping’s ducklings and goslings are raised in an environment filled with light music. "They grow up listening to music. So they can gain weight in a relaxing environment and won’t be scared even when there’s noise outside." said the shy boy with a smile.

The Covid-19 outbreak caused significant fluctuations in the cost of baby poultries and feedstuff, and a sharp drop in market demand for ducks and geese. It became as a severe challenge for the fledgling cooperative. Fortunately, thanks to the cooperative’s reputation as a productive breeder, a local breeding company reached out to them and commit the cooperative to raise about 12,000 ducklings on its behalf, which compensated for their income loss during the pandemic.

"During the days of working away from home, I always dreamed that one day I could return to my hometown and contribute to its development together with my folks. Now my dream is gradually coming true. To be able to lead others on a journey towards shared prosperity gives me a lot of energy and confidence. I am convinced that as more hardworking young people come back to our hometown to start their own businesses, the village will become more and more prosperous." said Ping with emotions.

Over the past 15 years, HSBC China, together with its charity partners, has carried out poverty alleviation projects in five provinces in China to help local farmers boost their income by empowering them to develop various agricultural and livestock businesses. In total, the bank has donated more than RMB 40 million for poverty alleviation in China and helped nearly 9,000 farming households to reduce poverty and increase income, directly benefiting more than 10,000 farmers. In recognition of the bank’s multi-year contribution to the cause, HSBC was awarded, among other honors, "Top Contribution to Poverty Alleviation" by China Banking Association.