Only a few decades ago, the Shiyang River basin in the Hexi Corridor, part of the ancient Silk Road in northwest China, was threatened by expanding deserts. In an arid environment with scarce water resources, overcropping exacerbated the problem. In the 1950s, the region's Qingtu Lake dried up completely, seemingly swallowed by desert.

In 2007, the government introduced plans to improve the ecological environment of the 41,600-square-km land in Gansu Province, which is home to more than 2.18 million people. In the following years, local authorities promoted afforestation, water conservation projects, water-wise farming as well as the relocation of residents to make the ambition a reality.

Today, the basin is an example of water-conserving agriculture and has undergone a major transformation as a result of green initiatives. As of May this year, the area of desert in the region had been reduced by 21 percent and vegetation coverage had increased by 32 percent, according to the Ministry of Water Resources. The dried-up Qingtu Lake returned to life in 2010 and already covered a surface area of 26.7 square km as of 2019.

Greener and better

In late July this year, a group of students from China Agricultural University (CAU), including 11 from African countries, visited the basin to learn about local anti-desertification measures, the use of water-saving agricultural technologies and water management projects. Visiting the basin offered the international students the opportunity to observe working case studies of green agriculture in arid regions that have the potential for implementation in their home countries.

Abreham Arebe Tola, a student from Ethiopia, said he was impressed by the locals' green efforts. As Tola wrote in a survey report, "The secret of the triumph of Minqin County in Wuwei City [in the basin] over desertification lies in its commitment to reversing the trend of desert expansion through afforestation. By cultivating shrubs on sandy land, Minqin managed to breathe new life into what had become barren."

Minqin is a typical arid area, with an average annual precipitation of 182 mm and evaporation of 2,200 mm. "The people in Minqin have embraced modern water-conserving technologies. The construction of large reservoirs and interconnected channels for drip irrigation (a watering method using a mechanical structure that is attached to a water source) has played a significant role in the county's sustainable agricultural development," Tola added.

Andam Andin Ndi Buma from Cameroon wrote in his report, "Government policies are essential to shaping water management strategies in Gansu. Recognizing water scarcity challenges, the local government launched projects such as the Hongyashan Reservoir to improve water availability in the arid desert region."

Targeted government subsidies incentivize efficient water use in various sectors, striking a balance between public interests and individual needs, Buma wrote. Many local rural households have adopted water-saving irrigation technologies and installed catchment systems to harvest rainwater for both household and farming usage.

In 2004, some CAU agronomists launched an experimental station in Wuwei, developing methods of boosting drought tolerance in crops while improving the yield. In July 2022, the program was renamed the National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Efficient Water Use.

The CAU station has empowered rural households by introducing water-saving technologies and drought-resistant crop varieties. The drip irrigation system efficiently delivers water and nutrients directly to the root zones of plants, reducing water waste. The researchers have also begun using soil moisture sensors and weather forecasting systems, allowing for precise irrigation scheduling tailored to the crops' needs and weather conditions.

"Through workshops and hands-on training, they have empowered local farmers to adopt water-efficient practices, positively impacting agricultural productivity and environmental conservation," Buma added. 

While conserving water and restoring the environment continue to be key activities, efforts to develop high-value agriculture in the basin have never stopped. The station has assisted in the construction of greenhouses. Even in a region as arid as this one, the structures with adjustable temperature and humidity ensure farmers can grow crops unsuited to arid regions, such as tomatoes, dragon fruit and watermelons. According to Buma, this system is a valuable source of local livelihood. A farmer can earn about 100,000 yuan ($13,727) a year from each greenhouse.

As part of efforts to support animal farming, the local government provides subsidies for feed crops and the upgrading of facilities. Wang Liang, a farmer in Wangjingzhai Village in Wuwei is a recipient of these subsidies. Wang told the CAU students, "The government provides a 30-percent subsidy for machinery that increases livestock productivity." Wang now has an income of 100,000 yuan a year from the sale of cattle.

Gansu is also making good use of its abundant solar and wind power. According to the State Grid Gansu Electric Power Co., the province's total electricity generation reached 65.7 billion kilowatt-hours in January-April this year. Renewable energy power generation accounted for more than 30 percent of the total.

Exchanging experiences

The international students saw different aspects of the basin's green practices. "I found profound connections to Ethiopia's efforts to reduce desertification. The case of Minqin will be an asset to Ethiopia in its struggle against desertification," Tola said.

Ethiopia has used traditional techniques such as terracing in its response to desertification and land reclamation. Soil erosion can be reduced by conserving topsoil and preventing it from being blown or washed away through regenerative farming practices such as terracing and the use of windbreaks.

Ethiopia could learn from Minqin's practices and water management solutions to preserve precious lifelines in arid areas, he continued. 

According to Olatunde Pelumi Oladele, a Nigerian student, the basin's restoration demonstrates the importance of policymakers, researchers and communities working together in their efforts to ensure sustainable development and build resilient livelihoods.

By replicating and adapting the Shiyang River basin experience to the context of arid north Nigeria, the region has the potential to thrive again, Oladele noted.

Luke Kakpa Pessima, a student from Sierra Leone, believes the government should play a leading role in promoting green agriculture. According to Pessima, the agricultural sector in Sierra Leone has long been struggling with a number of challenges that have hindered its growth and progress. For example, farmers have limited access to modern farming techniques and essential resources such as improved seeds and fertilizers, irrigation facilities and machinery.

As a result, crop yields have remained stagnant and farming communities have been trapped in a cycle of poverty and food insecurity. Their struggles are compounded by erratic weather patterns and a lack of supportive infrastructure.

After a visit to the town of Fafang in Wuwei, Pessima noted in his report how the town has an agricultural subsidy program in place to support farmers. "The government of Sierra Leone will recognize the potential of this approach to drive national development and economic growth through the agricultural sector," he concluded.

(Print Edition Title: An Eco Example)

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon

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