Reconnecting with Nature: From Conflict to Harmony | Mingpan Li | TEDxShenzhen
Once a chip designer, now a devoted practitioner of natural farming, he has made an extraordinary leap—from the world of electronic engineering to pioneering a new way of coexisting with nature. Rejecting chemical-based agriculture, he seeks to revive the wisdom of our ancestors and restore balance to the land.His journey began in 2008, when chronic intestinal issues led him to discover the healing power of nature. Leaving behind urban life, he became a leader in natural farming, only to face a challenging beginning—public skepticism and a lack of industry talent. Yet, as more people across the country search for truly green food and seek freedom from the ‘invisible harm’ of chemical agriculture, his mission has never been more urgent.Despite countless obstacles, he remains steadfast, dedicating himself to spreading ecological awareness and advocating for a return to nature. Though the road to natural farming is rugged, he believes that with perseverance and conviction, it can become a beautiful poem written upon the land. Advocate of Organic Natural Farming | Founder of Qianyi FarmGraduated from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in 2001 with a degree in Electronic Engineering, Li worked as a microchip designer in Silicon Valley until a life-threatening intestinal crisis sparked his ecological awakening. In 2008, he abandoned urban life to pioneer "zero-chemical farming"–reviving ancestral wisdom of "harmony between heaven and earth".
His "Qianyi Farm", now operating 15 bases across 8 Chinese provinces, demonstrates industrialized ecological agriculture with full-process mechanization and biodiversity protection. Recognized as a "National Ecological Farm" by China's Ministry of Agriculture, the project has attracted 100+ young talents to rural revitalization while supplying toxin-free grains to urban families.
Named a "Deputy to Hubei Provincial People's Congress", his work has been featured by CCTV, People's Daily, and over 100 media outlets as a model for China's rural renaissance. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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