©FAO China PROMOTION OF CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE THROUGH THE IMPROVEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES’ UTILIZATION IN ARID AREAS OF SHAANXI PROVINCE April 2019 SDGs: Countries: China Project Codes: TCP/CPR/3601 FAO Contribution: USD 210 000 Duration: 1 April 2016 – 31 December 2018 Contact Info: FAO Representation in China [email protected] PROMOTION OF CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE THROUGH TCP/CPR/3601 THE IMPROVEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES’ UTILIZATION IN ARID AREAS OF SHAANXI PROVINCE Implementing Partners IMPACT Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA). The introduction of integrated water-saving technologies Beneficiaries has contributed to increased yields in maize, potato and grape, leading to higher incomes for local farmers. More Smallholder fruit growers and managers; maize and specifically, maize and potato yields doubled, and grape potato growers; and public and private sector and civil yields increased by 40 percent after adopting the new society agricultural support services (e.g. research technologies. In addition, the reduced use of chemical institutes, centres of learning and extension services). fertilizers, and the introduction of ecological pest control Country Programming Framework and biodegradable plastic film ensures the safety and protection of both the environment and humans. Country Programming Framework for China (2016-2020) Priority Area 1: “Fostering sustainable and climate- ACHIEVEMENT OF RESULTS resilient agricultural development”, and Output 1.1: “Introduction and adoption of innovative approaches and The project improved the efficiency of water resources best practices in global agriculture development, such as utilization in the arid areas of the province. This was agro-ecology, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, Information achieved through the introduction of climate-smart, and Communication Technologies (ICTs), facilitated and water-saving technologies that were tailored for the three strengthened to contribute to sustainable agricultural crops (maize, potato and grape ) grown in Chunhua and development in China”. Jingbian counties of Shaanxi Province. The new technologies comprised efficient rain-harvesting irrigation technology, water-saving irrigation technology, and an integrated water and fertilizer irrigation system. The project interventions also led to improved soil fertility, water-holding capacity and moisture content. More specifically, a water-saving irrigation pipe network was installed for demonstration in 27 mu (15 mu = one hectare) of vineyards in Chunhua County. An automatic monitoring system for soil moisture and a field weather station were also installed to improve the irrigation system and promote key technologies, such as water ©FAO China storage in rain collection pits, integration of water and BACKGROUND fertilizer, and organic fertilizer substitution. As a result of the demonstration, 300 mu (20 ha) of surrounding Shaanxi Province, located in the northwestern part of grape land installed the water-saving pipe network, China, has experienced reduced rainfall in recent times, and another 200 mu (13.3 ha) of vineyards used organic seriously affecting agricultural development. Against this fertilizers to replace chemical ones. In Jingbian County, background, the current situation of arid farming in the 15 000 mu (1 000 ha) of surrounding maize and potato province was one of unsustainable use of water land completed the installation of water-saving facilities, resources, inefficient on-farm water distribution schemes and another 2 000 mu (133.3 ha) of maize and potato that were unrelated to the different cropping systems, land used organic fertilizers to replace chemical ones. and insufficient investment in irrigation infrastructure, among other things. It was therefore crucial to upgrade water management technologies and cropping management practices, in order to achieve higher efficiency of water use and improve agricultural productivity. The project aimed to reduce water losses in the province, in particular in Jiangbian and Chunhua counties, by promoting appropriate efficient on-farm water harvesting and in-field water management technologies, and improved soil fertility management practices. ©FAO China 1 PROMOTION OF CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE THROUGH TCP/CPR/3601 THE IMPROVEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES’ UTILIZATION IN ARID AREAS OF SHAANXI PROVINCE By the end of the project, a total of 4 300 farmers in the SUSTAINABILITY target areas had adopted new and improved climate- 1. Capacity development smart agriculture (CSA) technologies and practices, also as Capacities enhanced through the FFS programme have a result of the extensive training sessions that were improved public institutions’ capacities in devising, provided for research and extension staff, farmers, carrying out and assessing plans for agricultural agricultural technicians and cooperative representatives. technology extension, and the beneficiary This included season-long training of trainer (ToT) individuals/groups in promotional activities. sessions, whereby farmer field schools (FFS) were Prior to the implementation of the project, working introduced for the first time to the project localities. The groups at different levels were established. During FFS training sessions focused on water-saving irrigation the project, local agricultural bureaus, extension service technology, integrated water fertilizer technology, crop centres, universities and research institutions, as well as pest control technology, grape fruit management local farmer cooperatives and farming communities technology, dry area grape quality cultivation technology, enhanced their cooperation with each other. A domestic field management technology, and maize and potato study tour to Guizhou Province for participatory training water fertilizer integration high quality and high efficiency methodologies, and an international study tour to technology. Australia for water-saving technologies also laid the IMPLEMENTATION OF WORK PLAN foundation for potential cooperation with concerned stakeholders. All the activities were implemented within the project Through the implementation of the project in the two budget. A no-cost extension was proposed and approved, target counties, the relevant water-saving agricultural following thorough discussion and agreement among technology reached the envisaged level, and achieved concerned stakeholders, in order to successfully the expected goals of the project. Local government implement and complete all project activities; and the expressed full commitment during the project final review project work plan was also accordingly discussed, workshop to further promoting and applying the amended and agreed on. technologies and solutions introduced by the project, FOLLOW-UP FOR GOVERNMENT ATTENTION in order to effectively increase farmers' incomes, which ranks high on the government agenda. In order to ensure the sustainable adoption of the new rainfed agricultural technology and machineries by local 2. Gender equality farming communities, it is recommended that the Gender issues were taken in consideration during introduced technical packages be continuously adjusted the design phase of the project. Three hundred farmers, and refined, based on local climate and agronomic of whom 105 were women, participated in 15 season-long situations and traditional knowledge, and according to the FFS. requirements of the different crop fields concerned. 3. Environmental sustainability In addition, it is advised that donor funds be sought to Elements of environmentally and ecologically friendly continue capacity building and extension through ToT, FFS farming were incorporated in the project technology and demonstration, to ensure the effective spread of development and training, as well as mainstreaming the new technology and capacity building of the extension water-saving technologies, ecological pest control and mechanism. the use of biodegradable plastic film, to ensure that Finally, it is recommended that local governments the environment was protected. continue to enhance policy support and improve investment, in order to promote and extend the water-saving technologies to other counties in the province with similar agronomic conditions. 2 PROMOTION OF CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE THROUGH TCP/CPR/3601 THE IMPROVEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES’ UTILIZATION IN ARID AREAS OF SHAANXI PROVINCE 4. Human Rights-based Approach (HRBA) – in particular 6. Economic sustainability Right to Food and Decent Work The Department of International Cooperation of the Brainstorming was an important step before decisions Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) provided co-financing. were made about the schemes and plans to be Shanxi Provincial Department of Agriculture and the implemented. The opinions and needs of the trainees two counties also allocated co-financing for the were collected during the baseline survey, to develop demonstration and extension of agricultural the plans and curricula for the ToTs and FFS. technologies. The capacity-development activities were conducted in The technologies developed by the project are available a highly participatory manner. in local markets and affordable to beneficiaries and The project contributed to the implementation of the stakeholders. Right to Food Guidelines adopted by FAO in 2004. Comparing the net income with the baseline Youth and women were given high attention when investigation findings, farmers in Chunhua who used selecting beneficiaries for capacity-building activities. traditional irrigation technologies witnessed