As one of the science and technology special key projects of the
10th Five-Year Plan (2001-05), "water-saving agriculture" is needed
to deal with the relatively underdeveloped state of water-saving
agricultural technology that is holding back the creation of a
modern water-saving agricultural system.
China is chronically short of water. Agriculture is both a large
consumer of water and a sector with the most potential in water
saving. However, water-saving agriculture lacks the key technology
and basic equipment, as well as an industrialized technological
support and service system. A highly effective agricultural
technological system constantly expanding to meet the varied needs
of the different agricultural categories in China has yet to be
established. The fundamental way of dealing with the water shortage
in agriculture lies in scientific and technological development
that can create an efficient water-saving agricultural mode.
The goal is to establish a modern water-saving agricultural
technological system with Chinese characteristics to increase the
utilization rate of water resources in agriculture and utilization
efficiency of moisture content in crops, as well as agricultural
production results. The project has three aspects, including the
frontier and key technology of water-saving agriculture; research,
development and industrialization of key equipment and major
products; and technology collection and demonstration. This
highlights the organic combination of biological, agronomic,
engineering and administrative water saving, and enhancing the
renovation collection and industrializing demonstration of new
water-saving agricultural products and related technology.
On
completion of the project, according to a Xinhua News Agency
report, the general level of China's water-saving agricultural
technology will reach the international developed level of the
1990s, with about 100 modern water-saving hi-tech products
developed, 20 to 30 massive water-saving agricultural equipments
and manufacturing enterprises established, and 10 to 15 modern
water-saving agricultural technology collection and demonstration
zones launched.
(china.org.cn by Zhang Tingting, August 12, 2002)