The Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) launched a strategic research and consulting project led by member Kang Shaozhong, titled "China's Water-saving Agriculture Development Research," in Beijing on June 14, 2023.

Deng Xiuxin, Vice President of the CAE, attended the meeting together with more than 40 participants including experts and officials from the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Kang outlined the project’s implementation plan. His team reported on five topics of research including the spatial and temporal evolution of agricultural water use, water demand prediction, and water-saving strategy. In the meeting, CAE members and experts shared their opinions and suggestions regarding the research plan and topics.

Deng suggested that the project focus on the construction of high-standard farmland, the storage and utilization of rainwater in South China, the problems of agricultural water resources in Northwest and North China, and public communication about the science of agricultural water use. CAE member Liu Xu suggested mapping out the minimum, optimal and maximum water consumption in different regions, and considering water transfer issues such as cost feasibility.

In summarizing the meeting, Kang required the project team to earnestly implement the suggestions, and focus on three research fields such as establishment of a water efficiency indicator system and analysis of key challenges. Efforts will be made to offer targeted and tangible policy recommendations following in-depth research and scientific analyses.