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15 Agricultural Water Management in Northern China
15.6.3 Water and Fertilizer Integrated Technology
Water and fertilizer integrated technology is a kind of water-saving agricultural
technology to simultaneously irrigate and feed crops. A pipeline irrigation system
distributes fertilizers dissolved in water to meet the plant’s changing demands
for both moisture and nutrients over time. The technology promotes synchronous
management and efficient use of water and fertilizers.
This integrated technology was first applied in China in the mid-1990s. Since
2000, the National Agricultural Technology Promotion Centre of the Ministry of
Agriculture has conducted a series of training workshops to promote the technology,
which has been used in parts of north, northwest, northeast, and southern China, and
developed according to several planting patterns.
The technology was promoted nationwide in 2013. It was intended to cover some
5.3 million ha of farmland by 2015 with a new promotion area of more than 3.3
million ha. At the same time, it is designed to save more than 50% of water and
more than 30% of fertilizer currently used, while increasing yields by 20% yields,
increasing income, and reducing costs of more than 9,000 RMB per ha for cash crops.
15.7 Summary
This chapter analyzes agricultural water resources management in northern China.
Agricultural water use and production are introduced. The agricultural water management framework is analyzed. The key reforms related to agricultural water management are investigated, including institutional reform, water pricing, and water rights.
At the same time, the external factors influencing agricultural water policy, field-level
activities, and environmental concerns are also discussed.
China has managed to decouple agricultural production from water use in the
past 20 years, supported by rapid macro-economic development. In summarizing
the experiences and lessons behind these changes, the following conclusions can be
drawn and recommendations made.
Agricultural water resources management is a complex process, which needs to
consider both the internal structures of the sector and external factors. In China,
managing agricultural water resources involves not only resources development and
land use, it is also a critical issue entwined with economic development, social
stability, and the health of the environment. Therefore, one single policy reform or
improvement can easily become lost in the machinery and fail to reach its target. Such
a complex system requires a comprehensive policy structure which can incorporate
internal reform and external supports, improve both structural measures and nonstructural instruments, and account for macro-level policies and field-level activities.
Development is the best motivator for improving the management of agricultural
water resources. China has experienced major economic development and wealth
accumulation since 1990. On the one hand, this rapid growth intensifies pressure on
15 Agricultural Water Management in Northern China
15.6.3 Water and Fertilizer Integrated Technology
Water and fertilizer integrated technology is a kind of water-saving agricultural
technology to simultaneously irrigate and feed crops. A pipeline irrigation system
distributes fertilizers dissolved in water to meet the plant’s changing demands
for both moisture and nutrients over time. The technology promotes synchronous
management and efficient use of water and fertilizers.
This integrated technology was first applied in China in the mid-1990s. Since
2000, the National Agricultural Technology Promotion Centre of the Ministry of
Agriculture has conducted a series of training workshops to promote the technology,
which has been used in parts of north, northwest, northeast, and southern China, and
developed according to several planting patterns.
The technology was promoted nationwide in 2013. It was intended to cover some
5.3 million ha of farmland by 2015 with a new promotion area of more than 3.3
million ha. At the same time, it is designed to save more than 50% of water and
more than 30% of fertilizer currently used, while increasing yields by 20% yields,
increasing income, and reducing costs of more than 9,000 RMB per ha for cash crops.
15.7 Summary
This chapter analyzes agricultural water resources management in northern China.
Agricultural water use and production are introduced. The agricultural water management framework is analyzed. The key reforms related to agricultural water management are investigated, including institutional reform, water pricing, and water rights.
At the same time, the external factors influencing agricultural water policy, field-level
activities, and environmental concerns are also discussed.
China has managed to decouple agricultural production from water use in the
past 20 years, supported by rapid macro-economic development. In summarizing
the experiences and lessons behind these changes, the following conclusions can be
drawn and recommendations made.
Agricultural water resources management is a complex process, which needs to
consider both the internal structures of the sector and external factors. In China,
managing agricultural water resources involves not only resources development and
land use, it is also a critical issue entwined with economic development, social
stability, and the health of the environment. Therefore, one single policy reform or
improvement can easily become lost in the machinery and fail to reach its target. Such
a complex system requires a comprehensive policy structure which can incorporate
internal reform and external supports, improve both structural measures and nonstructural instruments, and account for macro-level policies and field-level activities.
Development is the best motivator for improving the management of agricultural
water resources. China has experienced major economic development and wealth
accumulation since 1990. On the one hand, this rapid growth intensifies pressure on