NPC deputy turns pig farming into high-tech enterprise, shares gains with villagers

At a pig breeding facility in Tashan village, Dayou town, Cengong county, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Zheng Peikun was reviewing real-time data from the farrowing house while reminding a worker about proper pig management practices for the spring season.

Zheng, a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, will bring the concerns of local villagers to this year's annual sessions of China's national legislature and top political advisory body, which opened in Beijing on March 5 and March 4, respectively.

Photo shows a smart pig breeding facility in Tashan village, Dayou town, Cengong county, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Photo/Wu Xianghua)

In 2013, Zheng returned to his hometown to establish a modern pig farm. Following its success, he brought together resources from nine village collectives to set up an agriculture and livestock company, with plans to build a smart breeding facility capable of raising more than 10,000 pigs.

Zheng Peikun briefs a worker on spring pig farm management precautions. (Photo/Li Changzhuo)

"In the past, pig farming relied entirely on manual labor. Today, it is powered by technology," Zheng said. The facility is equipped with a smart environmental control system, a precision feeding system and a video monitoring network.

Zheng's team has independently developed a pig facial recognition system and a health monitoring device, both of which have received invention patents. Today, just six workers can efficiently manage more than 5,000 pigs, reducing labor costs by 30 percent and feed costs by 10 percent.

Zheng Peikun monitors the pig farm via screen. (Photo/Li Changzhuo)

Since 2025, Zheng's company has generated sales of 20 million yuan (about $2.9 million).

As his business has grown, Zheng has never forgotten to help others. He distributes 80 percent of the breeding facility's profits to local villagers and has paid out more than 11.8 million yuan in dividends since 2018, benefiting more than 450 households who have been lifted out of poverty. Encouraged by his example, more than 130 people have returned home to start their own businesses.

Tashan village is now home to nine cooperatives, eight agricultural companies, 14 family farms and the prefecture's first integrated beef cattle breeding facility, which combines breeding, reproduction and extension services.

Since 2023, the professional farmer training center founded by Zheng has trained more than 1,700 skilled workers.

As an NPC deputy, Zheng has put forward suggestions reflecting the concerns of local villagers. This year, he is focusing on issues related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers, as well as public well-being.

Zheng Peikun collects suggestions from villagers. (Photo/Li Changzhuo)