Impact of changing cropping pattern on the regional agricultural water productivity

摘要: Water scarcity is a major constraint of agricultural production in arid and semi-arid areas. In the face future water scarcity, one possible way sector could be adapted to change cropping patterns make adjustments for available resources irrigation. The present paper analyses temporal evolution pattern from 1960 2008 Hetao Irrigation District (HID), China. impact changing on regional productivity evaluated footprint (WF) perspective. Results show that area under cash crops (e.g. sunflower melon) has risen phenomenally over study period because increased economic returns pursued by farmers. Most these have smaller WF (high productivity) than grain HID. With increase sown crops, HID substantially. Changing significant effects crop productivity: this way, total without increasing significantly consumption. results case indicate can used effectively properly planning areas irrigation limitations. However, there need foster multifunctional sustainable, which guarantee food security, enhance natural resource use provide stable high