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China’s Water-Saving Irrigation Management System: Policy, Implementation, and Challenge

Author

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  • Liuyang Yao

    (College of Economics & Management, Northwest A&F University, No.3 Taicheng Road, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China)

  • Minjuan Zhao

    (College of Economics & Management, Northwest A&F University, No.3 Taicheng Road, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China)

  • Tao Xu

    (College of Economics & Management, Northwest A&F University, No.3 Taicheng Road, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China)

Abstract

In response to the increased competition for water, the Chinese government has determined to promote water-saving irrigation (WSI) followed by a range of institutional arrangements and policy goals. Three management mechanisms are analyzed in this study in terms of effectiveness, including the top-down regulation mechanism using direct control or economic instruments, the design-bid funding mechanism mobilizing local governments by competitive grants program, and the bottom-up participation mechanism transferring more irrigation management responsibilities to end-users. Although the WSI management has achieved notable improvements by the combination of different mechanisms, conflicts among different policy goals, uneven distribution of financial resources, and insufficient participation from water users caused the difficulty in aligning stakeholders’ incentives. Approaches are needed to enable sustainable management by coordinating incentives from different stakeholders in the management, as well as incorporating end water users to assist decision-making.

Suggested Citation

  • Liuyang Yao & Minjuan Zhao & Tao Xu, 2017. "China’s Water-Saving Irrigation Management System: Policy, Implementation, and Challenge," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:12:p:2339-:d:123033
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Liu, Yang & Zhang, Xueling & Xi, Luoyan & Liao, Yuncheng & Han, Juan, 2020. "Ridge-furrow planting promotes wheat grain yield and water productivity in the irrigated sub-humid region of China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    2. Chai, Ying & Zhang, Haoran & Luo, Yong & Wang, Yi & Zeng, Yunmin, 2021. "Payments for ecosystem services programs, institutional bricolage, and common pool resource management: Evidence from village collective-managed irrigation systems in China," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).

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