Evaluation of Sustainability of Irrigated Crops in Arid Regions, China
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Evaluation of Sustainability of Irrigated Crops in Arid Regions, China. / Fan, Fan; Li, Bei; Zhang, Weifeng; Porter, John R.; Zhang, Fusuo.
In: Sustainability, Vol. 13, No. 1, 342, 2021.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluation of Sustainability of Irrigated Crops in Arid Regions, China
AU - Fan, Fan
AU - Li, Bei
AU - Zhang, Weifeng
AU - Porter, John R.
AU - Zhang, Fusuo
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Ensuring national food security amidst ongoing economic development whilst both protecting the environment and reducing the dependence on fossil fuels are significant challenges for Chinese sustainable development. The main objectives of this study were to reveal irrigated crop (wheat, maize, and sunflower) performance in terms of energy, economic, and environmental aspects in China's largest designed irrigation area, Hetao irrigation district (HID), and to evaluate agricultural suitability based on plant structure. An integrated indicator and comprehensively assessment method were used to evaluate the above objectives based on the results from in-person surveys. The results show that maize exhibits the best overall performance compared to two other major crops (wheat and sunflower), which supports the government policy of adjust and optimize the planting structure program (AOPST), an effective way to achieve the multiple-objectives for sustainable agricultural development. However, reducing fertilizer remains a more critical factor than AOPST. These study results provide useful guidance for policy-makers and relevant stake-holders both in a regional context for the HID and at the global agricultural governance and management level.
AB - Ensuring national food security amidst ongoing economic development whilst both protecting the environment and reducing the dependence on fossil fuels are significant challenges for Chinese sustainable development. The main objectives of this study were to reveal irrigated crop (wheat, maize, and sunflower) performance in terms of energy, economic, and environmental aspects in China's largest designed irrigation area, Hetao irrigation district (HID), and to evaluate agricultural suitability based on plant structure. An integrated indicator and comprehensively assessment method were used to evaluate the above objectives based on the results from in-person surveys. The results show that maize exhibits the best overall performance compared to two other major crops (wheat and sunflower), which supports the government policy of adjust and optimize the planting structure program (AOPST), an effective way to achieve the multiple-objectives for sustainable agricultural development. However, reducing fertilizer remains a more critical factor than AOPST. These study results provide useful guidance for policy-makers and relevant stake-holders both in a regional context for the HID and at the global agricultural governance and management level.
KW - net profit
KW - energy use efficiency
KW - environmental degradation
KW - comprehensive assessment
KW - agricultural sustainability
U2 - 10.3390/su13010342
DO - 10.3390/su13010342
M3 - Journal article
VL - 13
JO - Sustainability
JF - Sustainability
SN - 2071-1050
IS - 1
M1 - 342
ER -
ID: 255692496