Farmer bent on becoming a green scientist

A Chinese farmer has devoted himself to scientific innovation for 30 years, believing that green energy will be used widely in the future.

Ding Jiangshan, 56, only finished senior high school, but he is popularly known as a “self-made inventor” in his hometown of Hongguang township, Helan county, in Northwest China’s Ningxia Hui autonomous region.

In 1990, after eight years of trials, he obtained a state patent for a combine harvester that can be mounted on a tractor. This achievement boosted his confidence to invent more instruments, such as an automatic rope-making machine, solar-powered sweeper, hybrid electric-petroleum vehicle, and fitness bicycle that can generate electricity.

Ding’s family makes a living from a combination of farming and running a grocery store. Due to a shortage of funds and objections from his family, Ding had to give up his interest in inventions for a while. But the growing awareness of new energy and green technology, promoted by the government in recent years, has rekindled his passion for inventing.

Ding borrowed 500,000 yuan ($78,500) to register his company and intends to develop vehicles for the tourism industry.

“Green and environmentally-friendly technology is a major trend, and my biggest dream is to apply my invention to the daily lives of ordinary people.”