Lu Xiaopeng works at the breeding center. [Photo by Li Yang For China Daily]

"We have achieved the goal of becoming operational in the same year as construction," said Lu.

Lu joined the breeding center just a few months after the earthquake. In the livestock industry, there were few local professionals, creating an urgent need for experts.

There was also a personal reason for Lu: being from the Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, not far from Jishishan, this job allowed him to work close to home.

"This is an important platform, as there has never been such a large breeding center here before. I see it as an opportunity for my career development," he said.