SHEN Changjian, Han ethnicity, enrolled in the Administrative Management programme at Hunan Open University (Changde Branch) in 2022. He is a deputy to the 13th and 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and a major rapeseed grower in Linli County, Changde City, Hunan Province. He has received the State Council Special Government Allowance since 2024 and honours including the "National May 1st Labour Medal" and "National Model Worker."
"Agriculture is our foundational industry. The key to agricultural modernisation ultimately lies in technological progress and innovation," SHEN said. As a grassroots agricultural researcher and large-scale grower, he believes in rooting himself in rural areas and delving deep into rapeseed breeding. "I hope to cultivate more high-quality, high-yield rapeseed varieties to benefit rural communities."
Over 40 years ago, SHEN's father discovered several exceptionally vigorous wild rapeseed plants while beekeeping in Guizhou. He wondered: if a new rapeseed variety could be cultivated in Hunan, it would provide nearby nectar sources and solve the hometown's cooking oil shortage. From that moment, SHEN and his father developed an inseparable bond with rapeseed.
On the path of rapeseed variety development, the team of father and son lacked precision instruments, relying solely on naked-eye observation and pen-and-paper records. Bit by bit, they tackled one tough challenge after another in breeding.
In 2025, SHEN's breakthrough variety, "Shenzayou No. 2," received national registration. Speaking of it, SHEN smiled: "Better resistance, higher yield." This hybrid rapeseed is now cultivated across over 50,000 mu (approximately 3,333 hectares) in Hunan. Where once one mu (about 0.067 hectares) yielded barely 100 jin (50 kilograms) of rapeseed, it now produces over 400 jin (200 kilograms), bringing in an extra 800 yuan (about 110 USD) income per mu."Seeing the land full of promise, everyone works with greater vigour!" he said.
This year's Government Work Report mentioned stabilising grain and oil production. Hearing this in the Great Hall of the People, SHEN felt deeply moved. "It captured exactly what we farmers think and do in the fields. When I return home after the session, I'll work with my team to 'plant' more hope in this land."
Since being elected as an NPC deputy, SHEN's heart remains focused on the same things—crops, land, and farmers. Before this year's National Two Sessions, SHEN visited over 120 farming households. Villagers opened their hearts to him, and he recorded their earnest words one by one. Ultimately, he submitted his suggestions, 11 of which focused specifically on advocating for agriculture, rural areas, and rural residents.
To ensure more quality varieties reach farmers smoothly, he also suggested this year strengthening seed industry breakthroughs and promoting advanced agricultural machinery and equipment, so that scientific and technological achievements can truly make their way into fields and become "fuller wallets" for fellow villagers.
"As an NPC deputy, I must do practical things for the people. I want every seed to carry the power of science and technology, turning rapeseed 'golden seeds' into a channel for more farmers to increase income and achieve prosperity." SHEN said.
Source: Xiaoxiang Morning News People's Court Daily
Published: 24 March 2026