Water management and grain production in dryland farming areas in China

The grain production from dryland farming areas of China has great potentia l. At present, water utilized for grain production is only 37% of the poten tial. The potential yield per unit is 2.7 times that of current yield on dr yland farming. Obtaining higher grain output and water use efficiency will involve many techniques including traditional farming systems, mulching til lage, water harvesting and water-saving irrigation engineering. From presen t agricultural production situations of the arid and semi-arid areas, rain- fed agriculture should be developed to a reasonable extent to meet the requ irements of increasing grain production and economic growth. The approach f or sustainable development should be adopted to strengthen international ex change and cooperation so as to enhance comprehensive sustainable developme nt of dryland farming in China.