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An Analysis of Water Use Efficiency of Staple Grain Productions in China: Based on the Crop Water Footprints at Provincial Level

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  • Aizhi Yu

    (School of Economics, Central University of Finance and Economics, Shahe Higher Education Park, Changping District, Beijing 102206, China)

  • Entai Cai

    (School of Economics, Central University of Finance and Economics, Shahe Higher Education Park, Changping District, Beijing 102206, China)

  • Min Yang

    (School of Economics, Central University of Finance and Economics, Shahe Higher Education Park, Changping District, Beijing 102206, China)

  • Zhishan Li

    (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, No. 2, Chaoyangmen Nandajie, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100701, China)

Abstract

This article analyzed the water use efficiency of China’s staple grain productions (maize, rice, and wheat). This research calculated the water footprints of crop production using the CROPWAT model based on reported water use in 2000 and during 2015–2019, and both green and blue water footprints were calculated. The results showed that compared to 2000 water use efficiency of crop production for maize, rice and wheat during 2015–2019 were increased by about 12.4%, 10.8%, and 2.5% respectively. The current spatial structure of the stable grain industry that makes up grain production regions are concentrated in northern China, then grains are distributed across China (North-to-South Grain Transportation). This has advantages in the increase of agricultural water productivity. This research indicated that agricultural policies should further consider an advance of regional grain production, along with the optimization of transportation channels for stable grains to increase irrigation water use efficiency. The establishment of staple grain production in designated areas not only ensures China’s food security, but also promotes the sustainable use of irrigation water resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Aizhi Yu & Entai Cai & Min Yang & Zhishan Li, 2022. "An Analysis of Water Use Efficiency of Staple Grain Productions in China: Based on the Crop Water Footprints at Provincial Level," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-23, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:11:p:6682-:d:827722
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Guofeng Wang & Nan Lin & Xiaoxue Zhou & Zhihui Li & Xiangzheng Deng, 2018. "Three-Stage Data Envelopment Analysis of Agricultural Water Use Efficiency: A Case Study of the Heihe River Basin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-17, February.
    2. Wang, Yu & Zhou, Li & Jia, Qingyu & Yu, Wenying, 2017. "Water use efficiency of a rice paddy field in Liaohe Delta, Northeast China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 222-231.
    3. Gadanakis, Yiorgos & Bennett, Richard & Park, Julian & Areal, Francisco Jose, 2015. "Improving productivity and water use efficiency: A case study of farms in England," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 22-32.
    4. Geneille E. Greaves & Yu-Min Wang, 2017. "Identifying Irrigation Strategies for Improved Agricultural Water Productivity in Irrigated Maize Production through Crop Simulation Modelling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-17, April.
    5. Xinchun Cao & Pute Wu & Yubao Wang & Xining Zhao, 2014. "Water Footprint of Grain Product in Irrigated Farmland of China," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 28(8), pages 2213-2227, June.
    6. Markus Berger & Matthias Finkbeiner, 2010. "Water Footprinting: How to Address Water Use in Life Cycle Assessment?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 2(4), pages 1-26, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fan Liu & Xiangtao Jiang & Zhenyu Wu, 2023. "Attention Mechanism-Combined LSTM for Grain Yield Prediction in China Using Multi-Source Satellite Imagery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-20, June.
    2. Jinyu Xiao & Quansheng Ge & Ming Hu & Huijuan Cui, 2025. "A Comprehensive Assessment of Water Loss and Driving Forces for the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project from Humanistic Perspective," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 39(2), pages 939-962, January.
    3. Zhengxiao Yan & Wei Zhou & Yuyi Wang & Xi Chen, 2022. "Comprehensive Analysis of Grain Production Based on Three-Stage Super-SBM DEA and Machine Learning in Hexi Corridor, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-21, July.
    4. 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.

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