Credit system assists poor farmers in efforts to operate their own businesses

HEFEI－A small loan was the starting point for Yang Xilun, a villager in Anhui province, in his fight against poverty.

Thanks to a credit rating system established by Jinzhai county in the province, he received a loan for the first time in his life of 5,000 yuan ($726) in 2017. Before that, Yang lived in poverty with his parents, who suffered from mental retardation and poor health.

With the money, Yang invested in a photovoltaic power station in his home village, earning him 3,000 yuan per year. He also started a chicken farm in 2017 to feed his six-member family.