From campus to countryside

"These companies help farmers adopt mechanized farming methods and provide technical training," Jin said.

In addition to the word cloud, Lyu also created a funnel chart through data analysis, showing that tea played a pivotal role in Ziyun's economy in 2023, making it the top contributor among all local products.

Lian Xin, a 20-year-old participant in the field visits, pointed out that the tea processing facilities in Ziyun are notably advanced in terms of mechanization, setting them apart from typical rural processing workshops.

She observed that the entire tea production process, from picking the leaves to the final product, can be efficiently completed within the tea gardens. "The tea factories use machines for sterilizing, rolling, and flavoring, significantly improving efficiency," she said.

The students also visited the local rural commercial bank, where Zhang learned that around a quarter of the county's residents work outside their hometown, making it difficult for them to access financial services like loans in other areas.

To address this issue, the bank offers customized financial solutions. One innovative approach involves a financial services team traveling to key locations where migrant workers from Ziyun are based across various provinces and cities. They provide loans and financial aid, conduct in-person sessions to promote financial literacy, and assist with using online platforms for financial services.

"I believe this approach can be introduced in other regions with a large number of migrant workers," said Zhang.

With economic development providing basic security for farmers, there has been a noticeable improvement in local culture and quality of life.

During a trip to a village in Ziyun, 20-year-old Jiang Youjie came across a unique reading space. Originally an abandoned cow shed, it had been cleaned and creatively transformed into a library filled with books. "This new reading area not only repurposes unused resources but also ignites the locals' passion for education," he said.

Han Zhihao, 21, was impressed by the grassroots self-governance system in the village. He observed that villagers are encouraged to collectively establish rules for governance and are motivated to adopt healthy living habits through a specialized civic assessment process.

Behaviors like keeping the environment clean, assisting elders, and helping neighbors are evaluated on a 100-point scale. These points can then be exchanged for tangible rewards such as washing machines, televisions, and electric fans.

"In the village, everyone is seen as a leader, so personal and public interests naturally work together," said Han.

The team integrated their observations and suggestions into two research reports, applying academic theories to real-world contexts. They have also shared the reports with the local government.

Despite growing up in an urban area in Guizhou, Zhang has always been fascinated by the region's rural revitalization efforts.

"I used to think about working in big cities like Beijing or Shanghai after graduating," he said. "Now, I really want to return to Guizhou and apply what I've learned to contribute to my hometown."