Poultry workers prepare feed at a chicken run in Zhuanqiao community. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

Zhuanqiao community in Rugao, Nantong, used to be rated by the Jiangsu government as being weak in economic development. The situation turned around after Zhang Zhihui became the village's Party secretary.

"Our rice processing line can produce five tons of rice per hour. We've registered the trademark 'Ewan'. Now demand outstrips supply," said Zhang.

Led by Zhang, the village has established a cooperative, taking 1,600 mu (107 hectares) of land and building a grain drying center and rice processing lines.

"We have benefited a lot from developing ecological agricultural production," said Zhang Rufeng who earned 24,000 yuan ($3,477) in 2019 by renting out her land and working in the cooperative.

West of the rice processing center is a chicken run, which produces 520,000 chickens annually. It offers jobs to local impoverished families and has lifted them out of poverty.

"I made only 6,000 yuan annually by farming. My income increased to 36,000 yuan since I became a poultry raiser," said Shi Xia.

The chicken run has partnered with a poultry company in Nantong, ensuring stable sales channels and prices for the chickens.

"Thanks to the ecological agricultural projects, it took us only 18 months to get rid of the reputation of being a 'village weak in economy'," said the village's Party secretary.