Li Xiaoxue, 32, the vice general manager of Organic Farm, a company with six farms across China and about 600 employees, talks about the organic food industry and the career opportunities it offers young Chinese people.
Why do people enter the agricultural sector in China?
China is a very large agricultural country. There being a family business is probably the only reason for them to go into agriculture. Some people studied agriculture at university and some other rich people go into it because they see a large profit from agriculture. I think some people see organic agriculture as very trendy. Some people are very eager to do it. It offers large opportunities because it's very new to China.
What characterises the organic agriculture industry?
This business is really different from other general agriculture businesses. The organic food is … really healthy and the other reason for us working here is that it's quite a missionary job to do. You're delivering something which other people really need for their health or for environmental protection. It's meaningful.
How did you come to join the company and what is your job like?
The business started in 2000. I was at college at the time. I partially worked during the beginning of the company. I graduated from university [in Australia] in 2004. I came back full time. If you ask how much is indoors, it is about 80 per cent, doing the management part of the job. On other days, [there are] open days at the farm, introducing the farm to the customers and bringing customers to visit the farm and other promotional works. It's such a big business, we have to put more input into the management part.
What are the people you employ like?
We employ many graduates from universities who majored in agriculture, which is really good. They really love the job. Some people graduated in agriculture and they go into other sectors. I have met some people who really love agriculture and they graduated and they work with us or other agriculture companies and they're doing great.
