Over the past decade, Kuo has built dozens of greenhouses and plantations in the complex, with great investment to improve soil quality. It is now the largest Taiwan-invested farming complex in Hubei, seeing more than 5,000 daily agritourism visitors during holidays and other peak periods.

By paying rents for land-use rights and employing villagers, the company generates more than 14 million yuan (about $2 million) in annual income for nearby households in total.

"It's lucky for me to have the complex to work for, to offer me a job near my home that enables me to stay with my family," said Hu, who used to work for years in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou, nearly 1,000 kilometers away from her home in Ezhou.

For Kuo, it is a pleasure to see the vibrant landscapes he has created from barren ground, and he often takes a moment to enjoy them from the benches in the complex during his free time.

"The willows would turn verdant in spring, their branches dancing more gracefully than ballet performers; while in summer, I would watch the butterflies, bees and fruits," he said affectionately.