Early Life and Entrepreneurial Beginnings
Liu Yonghao's journey began in 1951 in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. He started his career as a teacher at a technical school. In the early 1980s, with China's economic reforms underway, Liu and his three brothers seized the opportunity in agriculture. They started a business selling quail and rabbit feed, initially using family savings. In 1982, they officially established the New Hope Group.
Rise to Success in Agribusiness
The Liu brothers focused on the growing demand for pig feed, which became their breakthrough. By 1992, their company, Hope Group, was a leader in the animal feed industry. Liu's company expanded into poultry, dairy, and other agricultural ventures, establishing New Hope Group as a major player in agribusiness. Liu Yonghao's vision included creating agricultural co-operatives to help farmers industrialize their plots.
Key Business Strategies
Liu Yonghao's success is attributed to his ability to combine traditional agricultural practices with modern management and technological innovation. The company grew rapidly, operating in over 30 countries. In 1996, the brothers split their business, with Liu renaming his portion as New Hope Group. Today, New Hope Group has over 600 subsidiaries and over 100,000 employees.
Philanthropy and Social Responsibility
Liu Yonghao and his family are committed to philanthropy. They've invested in education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and disaster relief. He believes education is key to sustainable development. Liu is also a member of the Sino-Australia 100-Year Agricultural and Food Safety Partnership.