Sustainable Development Pattern of Agriculture Makes Breakthrough in Semi-Arid Areas

The sustainable, comprehensive development and demonstration project of agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry in the sandy and semi-arid areas, which is the key scientific project of the "Ninth Five-Year Plan" of China, was recently accepted by the State in Fuxin City of northeast China's Liaoning Province. This project provides the 80 million mu (one hectare = 15 mu) of sandy and half-dry areas in northeast and northwest China with a comparatively mature pattern for the sustainable, comprehensive development of agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry.

This project includes the high and stable yield technical system for crop cultivation, the high production and efficiency technical system for animal husbandry, high production and efficiency technical system for forestry in such areas, efforts are devoted mainly to solving many issues like raising the utilization rate of water and chemical fertilizer, converting straw to feed, drought-resistance, high-yield of fruit tree, etc.

Crop cultivation is the main sector of agriculture in such area. However, due to the shortage of rainfall and low utilization rate, agricultural production is plagued by fairly big fluctuation. Especially in this year, western Liaoning Province, including Fuxin City, was hit by an unusually serious drought that caused no harvest in 70-80 percent of the cultivated land. Nevertheless, the experimental area withstood the severe test of the drought.

By using drought-resistant varieties and scientific means of raising water utilization rate, the experimental area has improved the local ecological environment and enhanced drought-fighting capability. Manifestation of this is especially prominent in 1997 and this year.

After five years of research and experiments, notable economic, ecological and social benefits have been achieved in the project of dry farming. The conversion and application of the project achievements have generated direct economic benefit of 182.41 million yuan and indirect economic gains of about 519.19 million yuan.



People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/