Li Long:
China: Young entrepreneur growing grapes where some thought wasn't possible
According to statistics, as of the end of 2013, the county’s grape industry has more than 5000 acres. Before 2010, grape growing in Midu was rare, with an area of no more than 50 acres. This change in numbers is because of Mr. Li Long.
In September of 2010, Li Long established the Yunnan Province Chunda Agricultural Science and Technology Company Limited, and is now the general manager of the company. For four years, beginning with 10 employees and a starting capital of around 100,000 yuan ($16,000 USD), the company has grown to 200 employees, with more than 2 million yuan ($321,878 USD) in profit, and with total assets of nearly 20 million yuan ($3.2 million USD). The company has become a leading enterprise in agricultural technology.
Li had an opportunity to travel to Pu'er Ning'er County back in 2009, where the grape industry was doing quite well. That is when the entrepreneurial idea struck Li, why not go back to my hometown and grapes?
At that time, no one in Midu was planting grapes, everyone thought the climate wasn't suitable. But from Li’s understanding and research, Midu is suitable for developing this industry.
After much research, Li focused on the Deju Town in Midu. It has an arid, tropical climate, which is well suited for grape planting. After thinking it over and over, he resigned from work and decided to return to his hometown and become a farmer.
In September 2010, Li took his several years of savings of one hundred thousand yuan, together with some funds from relatives and friends, he was able to obtain a bank loan of 900,000 yuan. And through land transfer of 237 acres in Midu County, the Yunnan Province Chunda Agricultural Science and Technology Company Limited was born.