China's poverty alleviation efforts are not just about government funding or support. Alongside the government's aid comes innovation from local companies as well. One community in the country's southern regions is getting rid of old ways and introducing new technology for farming. CGTN reporter Omar Khan has this story.

Southern China's Guangdong Province draws a stark contrast between the nation's urban and rural divide. Throughout the province's countryside, many villages remain impoverished, with communities relying on traditional forms of farming. And even though poverty alleviation efforts are in place, some villages remain exposed, with how they make a living, also under threat.

OMAR KHAN LONGCHUAN COUNTY, GUANGDONG PROVINCE "In mid-June, this entire bullfrog village here located in Longchuan, was wiped out by severe flooding, with flood waters reaching this level as indicated right here. But for this community and their history of being a leader in poverty alleviation efforts in Guangdong, they're now being put to the test."

And that challenge has been met with the introduction of new technology. Planting and harvesting technology for Camellia Oleifera is in use in several townships across Longchuan. Now the planting area of the herb has doubled, allowing for even greater output.

WANG TIANYI CHANGZHOU VILLAGE FIRST SECRETARY, POVERTY ALLEVIATION HEAD "Because this village has a tradition of planting oil-tea Camellia, we decided to make this the leading industry for poverty alleviation. Through joint efforts by the local government, we've transformed the village's infrastructure and appearance. Large scale infrastructure development and road facilities have also been carried out. The effort has greatly improved public facilities."

Agriculture firm XinHui Biotech is behind the recent success. 4 years ago they began their R&D efforts. By 2019 their technology's single day output became the equivalent of 100 days of human labor. Before, farmers had to manually pick and peel seeds.

LUO BIQUN GENERAL MANAGER, XINHUI BIOTECH "Poor households within our company will be given free training on the technology, and will be provided with free fertilizer. We promise to buy back their tea fruits first. We give priority to poor households when employing people, and hope to eventually help them get out of poverty and become rich."

LUO YUXU OIL TEA PLANT FARMER, CHANGZHOU VILLAGE "We used to use traditional methods to peel oil tea grain here in our village. Now we're using new technology and have boosted our selling price. The new tech has brought us wealth. The automated technology simplifies the process."

These poverty alleviation efforts are in line with China's goal to promote the Camellia Oleifera industry, as many companies are developing shelling and drying technologies. Yet another example of how technology can play a greater role in improving the lives of many. Omar Khan, CGTN, in Longchuan County, Guangdong Province.