Ciqu Mlaza tells her story at a blueberry farm in Butuo County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, southwest China on August 24 (WEN QING)

After two of her children died and the third fell ill, Ciqu Mlaza and her husband were left to raise their five grandchildren. “After my sons died, their wives left. My husband and I are the only ones my grandchildren can count on,” the now 70-year-old told Beijing Review on August 24.

Ciqu and her family live in a small village in Butuo, a poor and isolated county in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture. Located in southern Sichuan Province, on the border with ethnically diverse Yunnan Province, Liangshan is home to members of China's Yi ethnic group, one of 55 ethnic minority groups recognized in China.

Before 2019, Ciqu made a living planting potatoes and buckwheat. However, both crops are planted by almost all families in the region so prices were low. As one of the poorest families in Butuo, Ciqu’s family enjoys free medical insurance and basic living support from the local government. However, Ciqu’s desire to continue working is strong, especially after a blueberry farm was established near her house in early 2019.

Ciqu Mlaza works at the blueberry farm in Butuo County in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture on August 24 (WEN QING)

The farm was established through investment by the local government and agricultural enterprises. Employment on the farm was offered to people from poor families to help them master new skills and increase their income. Most have received little or no education, and many are prevented from leaving their villages to look for work by the need to care for children. Like Ciqu, workers on the blueberry farm value the opportunities it creates.

Ciqu became part of the blueberry farm soon after it was established. "I'm now able to make more than 2000 yuan ($300) per month on this farm," Ciqu told Beijing Review. "The farm also pays us more than 10,000 yuan ($1500) in rent every year for use of our land."

Copyedited by Garth Wilson

Comments to wenqing@bjreview.com