After a year's work at the broom plant, Mireximu's family shook off poverty last year. "We bought our first refrigerator and washing machine last year," he said.

Entrepreneurship has spread beyond the broom plant. Encouraged by the broom business's success, many villagers have started their own enterprises. A total of 16 small plants have been set up in the village, making an array of products ranging from flour to toilet paper and rat traps.

The plants have created stable jobs for residents and helped reduce the village's poverty rate to about 20 percent.

Uroziali put on an exhibition of the village's micro industries this month to encourage villagers to explore new markets.

"Entrepreneurship will help them sharpen their competitive edge and to stand on their own feet," he said.

Xinhua