Participatory Irrigation Management and Irrigation Water Use Efficiency in Maize Production: Evidence from Zhangye City, Northwestern China

Abstract

Abstract:Water has become increasingly scarce in northwestern China due to climate change, economic growth and burgeoning population. Improving agriculture water use efficiency is of strategic significance in promoting socio-economic water productivity for arid and semi-arid inland river basins. Based on the household-level data collected in Zhangye City, which is located in the middle reaches of Heihe River Basin (HRB) in northwestern China, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) of maize is estimated based on stochastic frontier analysis. The impacts of influential factors, especially the participatory irrigation management (PIM) through water user associations (WUAs), on IWUE were further examined. Results show that the estimated average Technical efficiency (TE) and IWUE of maize production are 0.74 and 0.24, respectively. The participation level in irrigation management is very low, with only 40% of the respondents participating in WUA meetings. In addition, most have a relatively superficial understanding of the roles and management scheme of WUAs. Empirical results show that though significantly positive, the magnitude of the impact of PIM on IWUE is relatively small. Households that participated in WUA meetings achieved only 0.002% higher IWUEs than those have never participated in. WUAs are not operating with their designed objectives. Consequently, reform of the traditional management form of WUAs to make them more transparent, fair, and extensively participated in among farmers is in urgently need. In addition, we also find that water price, source of irrigation water, irrigation technology adoption and famers' education level and farming experience also have significant positive impacts on IWUE.

Assessment of the growth in social groups for sustainable agriculture and land management

“…• Increases in irrigation water availability and efficiency of use (Ricks, 2016;Zhou et al, 2017). • Improvements in forest productivity of wood, forage and secondary products (FAO, 2016b; Ravindranath & Sudha, 2004 way that reduces pest populations to non-economically important levels, minimizes risks to human and animal health and can be sustainable and non-polluting.…”

“…Adoption of organic and zero-budget systems (Bharucha et al , 2020; Reganold & Wachter, 2016). To natural capital and key ecosystem services: evidence of increased productivity and reductions in the use of harmful or potentially harmful compounds and releases: Increases in irrigation water availability and efficiency of use (Ricks, 2016; Zhou et al , 2017). Improvements in forest productivity of wood, forage and secondary products (FAO, 2016b; Ravindranath & Sudha, 2004).…”

Advances in Water Use Efficiency in Agriculture: A Bibliometric Analysis

“…An efficient use of water has become one of its main objectives. The governmental priority has pushed forward the increase of resources devoted to WUEA research [17,49]. On the other hand, in the last years new journals edited in China have been established to publish in Chinese.…”

Spatio-Temporal Variations in Farmland Water Conditions in the Yanhe River Basin

“…In the future, the Yanhe River Basin is predicted to be warmer and drier. On the other hand, with the acceleration of urbanization, the demand for agricultural and industrial water will continue to increase, making it necessary to focus on increasing the efficiency of water resources, and on optimizing water resources allocation to achieve maximum ecological and economic benefits [51]. We should, therefore, adjust the use pattern and use structure of water resources from the perspective of the benefit of the whole basin, reasonably exploit and use surface water and groundwater, improve the construction of supporting facilities of farmland water conservancy projects, and vigorously develop sustainable and water-saving agriculture.…”