IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jagris/v12y2022i10p1665-d938773.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Analysis of Crop Sustainability Production Potential in Northwest China: Water Resources Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Xian Liu

    (School of Geography Sciences, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, China
    Ecological Environment Research Center of Middle Yellow River, School of Geography Sciences, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, China)

Abstract

From the perspective of water resources, revealing the potential of sustainable production of crops, clarifying the obstacles, and taking effective measures in advance can not only provide residents with long-term sufficient and nutritious food needs but also help to promote food security and economic benefits. Previous studies on this aspect have mainly focused on food crops and paid less attention to cash crops. This study takes Northwest China as the research area, which is a typical arid and semi-arid region with the most prominent contradiction between water supply and demand. We analyzed the changing characteristics of the available water resources, the production water footprint, and the total water footprint over time from the perspective of water resources, and systematically analyze the potential for sustainable development. The results showed that the regional water resource consumption in 2000–2020 showed a significant upward trend ( p < 0.01). Similarly, the water resource load index also increased in this period, which increased by 164.3%. Water resources pressure increased from level III to level I, and there is no further development potential. At the same time, the proportion of available agricultural water resources was forcibly reduced by 9.0%. Fortunately, the crop production water footprint showed a significant decreasing trend ( p < 0.01), with a decrease of 43.6%. Among them, grain and cash crops decreased by 45.4% and 49.5% respectively. Although the production water footprint is reduced, regional production is increasing to meet the increasing consumer demand. The crop water footprint showed a significant increase ( p < 0.01), increasing by 13.4%. The available water resources of crops in the region are compressed, but the amount of water needed for crop production is increasing significantly, which poses challenges to the sustainable production of crops. According to the research results, the detailed recommended measures to promote sustainable regional crop production are put forward from the perspective of increasing the amount of regional water resources available, improving the utilization efficiency of blue and green water, and crop yield level, so as to better serve the global food security.

Suggested Citation

  • Xian Liu, 2022. "Analysis of Crop Sustainability Production Potential in Northwest China: Water Resources Perspective," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:12:y:2022:i:10:p:1665-:d:938773
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/12/10/1665/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/12/10/1665/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Katrin Millock & Céline Nauges, 2010. "Household Adoption of Water-Efficient Equipment: The Role of Socio-Economic Factors, Environmental Attitudes and Policy," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 46(4), pages 539-565, August.
    2. Hasrul Hazman Hasan & Siti Fatin Mohd Razali & Nor Hidayah Mohd Razali, 2021. "Does the Household Save Water? Evidence from Behavioral Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-20, January.
    3. Martin Weih & Alison J. Karley & Adrian C. Newton & Lars P. Kiær & Christoph Scherber & Diego Rubiales & Eveline Adam & James Ajal & Jana Brandmeier & Silvia Pappagallo & Angel Villegas-Fernández & Mo, 2021. "Grain Yield Stability of Cereal-Legume Intercrops Is Greater Than Sole Crops in More Productive Conditions," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-18, March.
    4. Alexis Nzila & Shaikh Abdur Razzak & Jesse Zhu, 2016. "Bioaugmentation: An Emerging Strategy of Industrial Wastewater Treatment for Reuse and Discharge," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-20, August.
    5. Zapata, N. & Robles, O. & Playán, E. & Paniagua, P. & Romano, C. & Salvador, R. & Montoya, F., 2018. "Low-pressure sprinkler irrigation in maize: Differences in water distribution above and below the crop canopy," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 353-365.
    6. Dogliotti, S. & García, M.C. & Peluffo, S. & Dieste, J.P. & Pedemonte, A.J. & Bacigalupe, G.F. & Scarlato, M. & Alliaume, F. & Alvarez, J. & Chiappe, M. & Rossing, W.A.H., 2014. "Co-innovation of family farm systems: A systems approach to sustainable agriculture," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 76-86.
    7. Xian Liu & Yueyue Xu & Shikun Sun & Xining Zhao & Yubao Wang, 2022. "Analysis of the Coupling Characteristics of Water Resources and Food Security: The Case of Northwest China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-19, July.
    8. Jinpeng Yang & Yingbin He & Shanjun Luo & Xintian Ma & Zhiqiang Li & Zeru Lin & Zhiliang Zhang, 2021. "Optimizing the Optimal Planting Period for Potato Based on Different Water-Temperature Year Types in the Agro-Pastoral Ecotone of North China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-13, October.
    9. Rahaman, Muhammad Syukri Abd & Cheng, Li-Hua & Xu, Xin-Hua & Zhang, Lin & Chen, Huan-Lin, 2011. "A review of carbon dioxide capture and utilization by membrane integrated microalgal cultivation processes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(8), pages 4002-4012.
    10. Apurva Pamidimukkala & Sharareh Kermanshachi & Nikhitha Adepu & Elnaz Safapour, 2021. "Resilience in Water Infrastructures: A Review of Challenges and Adoption Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-15, November.
    11. S. Sun & P. Wu & Y. Wang & X. Zhao, 2013. "Temporal Variability of Water Footprint for Maize Production: The Case of Beijing from 1978 to 2008," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 27(7), pages 2447-2463, May.
    12. Kang, Shaozhong & Hao, Xinmei & Du, Taisheng & Tong, Ling & Su, Xiaoling & Lu, Hongna & Li, Xiaolin & Huo, Zailin & Li, Sien & Ding, Risheng, 2017. "Improving agricultural water productivity to ensure food security in China under changing environment: From research to practice," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 5-17.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Hexiong Zhang & Yun Qin & Jinlong Xu & Wenqin Ren, 2023. "Analysis of the Evolution Characteristics and Impact Factors of Green Production Efficiency of Grain in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-14, April.
    2. Xian Liu & Yueyue Xu, 2023. "Analysis of Dynamic Changes and Main Obstacle Factors of Grain Supply and Demand Balance in Northwest China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-18, July.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Xian Liu & Yueyue Xu & Shikun Sun & Xining Zhao & Yubao Wang, 2022. "Analysis of the Coupling Characteristics of Water Resources and Food Security: The Case of Northwest China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-19, July.
    2. Cao, Zhaodan & Zhu, Tingju & Cai, Ximing, 2023. "Hydro-agro-economic optimization for irrigated farming in an arid region: The Hetao Irrigation District, Inner Mongolia," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 277(C).
    3. Ren, Dongyang & Xu, Xu & Engel, Bernard & Huang, Quanzhong & Xiong, Yunwu & Huo, Zailin & Huang, Guanhua, 2021. "A comprehensive analysis of water productivity in natural vegetation and various crops coexistent agro-ecosystems," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    4. Wu, Zhangsheng & Li, Yue & Wang, Rong & Xu, Xu & Ren, Dongyang & Huang, Quanzhong & Xiong, Yunwu & Huang, Guanhua, 2023. "Evaluation of irrigation water saving and salinity control practices of maize and sunflower in the upper Yellow River basin with an agro-hydrological model based method," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    5. Zhang, Shulin & Su, Xiaoling & Singh, Vijay P & Ayantobo, Olusola Olaitan & Xie, Juan, 2018. "Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition analysis of changes in agricultural water use: a case study of the middle reaches of the Heihe River basin, China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 422-430.
    6. El-Saied E. Metwaly & Hatim M. Al-Yasi & Esmat F. Ali & Hamada A. Farouk & Saad Farouk, 2022. "Deteriorating Harmful Effects of Drought in Cucumber by Spraying Glycinebetaine," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-16, December.
    7. Yang, Danni & Li, Sien & Kang, Shaozhong & Du, Taisheng & Guo, Ping & Mao, Xiaomin & Tong, Ling & Hao, Xinmei & Ding, Risheng & Niu, Jun, 2020. "Effect of drip irrigation on wheat evapotranspiration, soil evaporation and transpiration in Northwest China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 232(C).
    8. Hannah Jona von Czettritz & Seyed-Ali Hosseini-Yekani & Johannes Schuler & Kurt-Christian Kersebaum & Peter Zander, 2023. "Adapting Cropping Patterns to Climate Change: Risk Management Effectiveness of Diversification and Irrigation in Brandenburg (Germany)," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-17, September.
    9. Sylvain, Dernat & Bertrand, Dumont & Dominique, Vollet, 2023. "La Grange®: A generic game to reveal trade-offs and synergies among stakeholders in livestock farming areas," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    10. Jovanovic, N. & Pereira, L.S. & Paredes, P. & Pôças, I. & Cantore, V. & Todorovic, M., 2020. "A review of strategies, methods and technologies to reduce non-beneficial consumptive water use on farms considering the FAO56 methods," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).
    11. Dániel Fróna & János Szenderák & Mónika Harangi-Rákos, 2019. "The Challenge of Feeding the World," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-18, October.
    12. Li, Xiaolin & Tong, Ling & Niu, Jun & Kang, Shaozhong & Du, Taisheng & Li, Sien & Ding, Risheng, 2017. "Spatio-temporal distribution of irrigation water productivity and its driving factors for cereal crops in Hexi Corridor, Northwest China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 55-63.
    13. Ran, Hui & Kang, Shaozhong & Li, Fusheng & Du, Taisheng & Tong, Ling & Li, Sien & Ding, Risheng & Zhang, Xiaotao, 2018. "Parameterization of the AquaCrop model for full and deficit irrigated maize for seed production in arid Northwest China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 438-450.
    14. Hui, Xin & Zheng, Yudong & Yan, Haijun, 2021. "Water distributions of low-pressure sprinklers as affected by the maize canopy under a centre pivot irrigation system," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    15. Zhang, Fengtai & Xiao, Yuedong & Gao, Lei & Ma, Dalai & Su, Ruiqi & Yang, Qing, 2022. "How agricultural water use efficiency varies in China—A spatial-temporal analysis considering unexpected outputs," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    16. Li, Zhi & Fang, Gonghuan & Chen, Yaning & Duan, Weili & Mukanov, Yerbolat, 2020. "Agricultural water demands in Central Asia under 1.5 °C and 2.0 °C global warming," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    17. Miodrag Tolimir & Branka Kresović & Katarina Gajić & Violeta Anđelković & Milan Brankov & Marijana Dugalić & Boško Gajić, 2024. "Integrated effect of irrigation rate and plant density on yield, yield components and water use efficiency of maize," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 70(8), pages 475-482.
    18. Tana, PO & Maina, SW & Makini, FW & Bebe, BO, 2023. "Assessing Differential Gains That Outstanding And Average Performing Farmers Attain From Climate-Smart Cassava Innovations In Nyando Climate-Smart Villages, Kenya," African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND), African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND), vol. 23(3), January.
    19. Matthias Bürgi & Panna Ali & Afroza Chowdhury & Andreas Heinimann & Cornelia Hett & Felix Kienast & Manoranjan Kumar Mondal & Bishnu Raj Upreti & Peter H. Verburg, 2017. "Integrated Landscape Approach: Closing the Gap between Theory and Application," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-13, August.
    20. Li, Mo & Fu, Qiang & Singh, Vijay P. & Liu, Dong & Li, Jiang, 2020. "Optimization of sustainable bioenergy production considering energy-food-water-land nexus and livestock manure under uncertainty," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:12:y:2022:i:10:p:1665-:d:938773. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.