Joy sows the seeds for a bright future

Wei Mingguang sees sunflowers for more than just their beauty. Nearly two decades ago, he looked into the abundant yellow fields and saw a business opportunity. Since then, his idea has sprouted into a multimillion-dollar company set to become one of the most successful in China.

Joy Agricultural Technology Company, founded by Wei in 1997 in Gansu's Minqin county, specializes in sunflower seed cultivation and product processing. Refined sunflower seed oil, labeled under the company's trademark Westerner, is the most popular product. The firm also produces seeds and uses raw materials for various other purposes.

Joy produces about 80,000 tons of oil a year and employs about 1,000 workers, said Wei, the company president. He expects this number to rise in the future as the company continues to grow.