(XINHUA)

Ye Bailin, a farmer and entrepreneur in central China's Henan Province, has been in the Chinese media spotlight recently because of his efforts in helping his fellow country people to get rich.

In 1994 Ye borrowed 10,000 yuan ($1,515) to set up a peanut business. In 2000, Ye set up a website to sell peanuts and earned 500,000 yuan ($76,000) in the first year. The next year, he established a peanut factory and registered a trade mark.

In 2003, he engaged in modern agriculture. He borrowed 1.86 million yuan ($282,000) and rented more than 4 million square meters of land. The land's output is much higher than other areas nearby, as Ye uses advanced machinery and farming techniques and hires professional technicians. His company now sells more than 50 types of quality crops, with an annual profit of 6 million yuan ($909,000) and total assets of 22.28 million yuan ($3.38 million).

Ye didn't forget his fellow villagers after he became rich. His company provides work for more than 200 people in his village, and he has led 5,000 rural people out of poverty.