For decades, hundreds of millions of China's farmers have left their hometowns for better opportunities in the cities - to work in factories or on production lines. They might have helped create the world's second largest economy, but the trend has hurt China's villages and taken a toll on the family members left behind. Now, a reverse migration might slowly be gaining steam. Tao Yuan reports.

At the age of 88, Wang Zongyuan still toils in the field for a living. Three times a week, he pushes a basketful of chives across bumpy village roads, up steep slopes to the town market. If he gets lucky, he can earn about one dollar.

WANG ZONGYUAN FARMER "It's getting hard for me, but I have no choice. I'm used to this life anyway."

Wang's only companion is his wife. Their children are working elsewhere as migrant workers, just like every other working-age adult in their village.

TAO YUAN SANTAI COUNTY, SICHUAN PROVINCE "China has some of the world's most modern cities, but much of the country is still a hinterland of subsistence farming. The economy drives young farmers into the cities for work and money, but the elderly and the children are left behind."

Families, broken apart by the need for better opportunities. But that's showing signs of change. For decades China counted on its booming cities to drive its economy. Now it wants to develop its vast countryside.

Liu Guiyun worked in a factory near Beijing for 20 years. She had a city life. This year she decided to come home.

LIU GUIYUN FARMER "My children kept saying, mom, our hometown has better landscape, better air. I thought that's right, and I can take care of parents. Even if that means a poorer life."

Now she raises hundreds of ducks which she counts on for profit. Nationwide, five million migrant workers are returning back to their villages, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Liu says she's longed for this day.

LIU GUIYUN FARMER "I didn't go to much school. But I have beautiful dreams. I've always wanted to plant something, raise some animals. I came home this year and noticed the changes in the village - people are growing oranges, the weeds are gone, so I thought, maybe there's an opportunity here."

Liu Guiyun might belong to an army of unsung heroes behind China's economic miracle. Now she carries China's hope to rebalance its economy. Tao Yuan, CGTN, Sichuan.