15.4 Key Sectoral Reforms
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realize the volumetric metering at the third-level canal. Small irrigation districts and
end-use canal systems shall detail the volumetric units according to management
requirements. Groundwater wells shall be metered, and to the final user if with the
condition.
Developing agricultural water rights system. The county water-use volume will be
allocated to the village, the WUA, and the farmer, according to an irrigation water-use
quota. The farmer could transfer saved water, and the government or its WADs, and
irrigation district management agency could buy water back. Under the condition of
meeting local agricultural water demand, the saved water could be transferred across
regions and sectors.
Improving agricultural water supply efficiency and benefit. Agricultural water
supply systems with large, medium, and small engineering components shall be
improved, as well as engineering maintenance. Water supply plan management and
regulation shall be improved to reduce costs. Water tariff collection and use shall be
strengthened. The incentive mechanism of the central government’s financial input
for irrigation infrastructure will be developed to favor the regions with the positive
promotion of pricing reform.
Strengthening agricultural water demand management. On the condition of
stabilizing the grain production and ability, the cropping pattern and structure shall
be adjusted according to the locality. The water-intensive crop plant area shall be
reduced in regions facing water shortages. A cropping structure and planting pattern
compatible with natural precipitation shall be developed. Water-saving technology,
including pipe irrigation and drip irrigation, shall be promoted, as well as integrated
water-fertilizer and/or water-fertilizer-pesticide technology.
Exploring to innovate end-use water-use management methods. The development
of multiple end-use water-use management methods, including self-management,
professional service, water agency management, and user participation, shall be
encouraged. The WUA is encouraged to develop and fully use its functions in the
management of water supply engineering, water-use management, and water tariff
collection. The small hydraulic engineering management institution reform shall
be promoted to clarify facility property rights, issue rights certificate, and transfer
use rights and management rights to the WUA, village, benefited farmers, and
new agricultural operation body in order to clarify management and maintenance
responsibility.
Developing and improving agricultural water pricing formulation mechanism
Formulating agricultural water tariffs hierarchically. The water tariff for the
key projects in large and medium-scale irrigation districts shall be based on governmental pricing in principle and might be based on negotiable pricing on the condition
they promote water saving and guarantee sustainable engineering operation and agricultural production. The tariff for the end-canal system of large and medium-scale
irrigation districts and small irrigation district could implement governmental or
327
realize the volumetric metering at the third-level canal. Small irrigation districts and
end-use canal systems shall detail the volumetric units according to management
requirements. Groundwater wells shall be metered, and to the final user if with the
condition.
Developing agricultural water rights system. The county water-use volume will be
allocated to the village, the WUA, and the farmer, according to an irrigation water-use
quota. The farmer could transfer saved water, and the government or its WADs, and
irrigation district management agency could buy water back. Under the condition of
meeting local agricultural water demand, the saved water could be transferred across
regions and sectors.
Improving agricultural water supply efficiency and benefit. Agricultural water
supply systems with large, medium, and small engineering components shall be
improved, as well as engineering maintenance. Water supply plan management and
regulation shall be improved to reduce costs. Water tariff collection and use shall be
strengthened. The incentive mechanism of the central government’s financial input
for irrigation infrastructure will be developed to favor the regions with the positive
promotion of pricing reform.
Strengthening agricultural water demand management. On the condition of
stabilizing the grain production and ability, the cropping pattern and structure shall
be adjusted according to the locality. The water-intensive crop plant area shall be
reduced in regions facing water shortages. A cropping structure and planting pattern
compatible with natural precipitation shall be developed. Water-saving technology,
including pipe irrigation and drip irrigation, shall be promoted, as well as integrated
water-fertilizer and/or water-fertilizer-pesticide technology.
Exploring to innovate end-use water-use management methods. The development
of multiple end-use water-use management methods, including self-management,
professional service, water agency management, and user participation, shall be
encouraged. The WUA is encouraged to develop and fully use its functions in the
management of water supply engineering, water-use management, and water tariff
collection. The small hydraulic engineering management institution reform shall
be promoted to clarify facility property rights, issue rights certificate, and transfer
use rights and management rights to the WUA, village, benefited farmers, and
new agricultural operation body in order to clarify management and maintenance
responsibility.
Developing and improving agricultural water pricing formulation mechanism
Formulating agricultural water tariffs hierarchically. The water tariff for the
key projects in large and medium-scale irrigation districts shall be based on governmental pricing in principle and might be based on negotiable pricing on the condition
they promote water saving and guarantee sustainable engineering operation and agricultural production. The tariff for the end-canal system of large and medium-scale
irrigation districts and small irrigation district could implement governmental or