Core Points - The Sixth Agricultural Water Saving and Rural Water Supply Technology Development Forum and the 2024-2025 (10th) Agricultural Water Saving Science and Technology Award Ceremony were held in Guangzhou, highlighting advancements in agricultural water-saving technologies and rural water supply systems [2][3][4]. Group 1: Event Overview - The forum was organized by the China Agricultural Water Saving and Rural Water Supply Technology Association and the Agricultural Water Saving Science and Technology Award Committee [3]. - Key figures in attendance included the association president, academician Kang Shaozhong, and former association president Zhai Haohui, who delivered speeches emphasizing the importance of the event [4][5][12]. Group 2: Achievements and Developments - The association has witnessed significant growth over the past 30 years, contributing to the evolution of agricultural water saving and rural water supply in China [12][13]. - A report highlighted the need for mechanization, automation, and smart technologies in agriculture to address strict constraints on water usage metrics [15][16][18]. Group 3: Policy and Future Directions - The forum emphasized the association's role as a policy advisor, technology innovator, and service provider within the industry [20][22]. - Future focus areas include enhancing agricultural water efficiency, high-quality rural water supply development, and the modernization of irrigation systems [26][28]. Group 4: Data and Impact - Over the past decade, China's agricultural water usage has decreased by 185 billion cubic meters, while maintaining high levels of grain production [30][34]. - Guangdong province has invested over 10 billion annually in rural water supply construction, significantly improving irrigation capabilities [40][41]. Group 5: Awards and Recognition - The 10th Agricultural Water Saving Science and Technology Award recognized 49 technological achievements, including 12 first prizes and 17 second prizes [44][45]. - The event also featured the launch of a publication reviewing 30 years of agricultural water saving and rural water supply technology [49][50]. Group 6: Industry Collaboration - The forum included strategic cooperation agreements and discussions on industry collaboration to foster a new development pattern [50][61]. - Participants engaged in parallel sessions addressing key topics such as agricultural water saving and rural water supply, showcasing innovative practices and technologies [61][63].

Core Insights - The Ministry of Water Resources held a conference on agricultural water-saving efficiency in Dezhou, highlighting Shandong's significant progress in irrigation practices [1] Summary by Sections Agricultural Water-Saving Initiatives - Shandong has established a water-saving irrigation area of 63.24 million acres, accounting for nearly 70% of the total irrigation area [1] - The province has invested a total of 14.6 billion yuan since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan, implementing modernization projects in 74 large and medium-sized irrigation districts [1] Technological Advancements - The construction of a digital twin irrigation district has led to the establishment of a water resources data center and a provincial irrigation management system, integrating over 2.2 million data points related to water conditions, usage statistics, and water extraction permits [1] - Irrigation efficiency has improved by over 10% across the province [1] Policy and Market Developments - Shandong is actively exploring agricultural water pricing policies and practices such as water rights trading, with Dezhou completing 4,864 transactions involving 982 million cubic meters of water and a transaction value of 2.23 million yuan [1] - The province utilizes approximately 1% of the national water resources to irrigate about 5% of the national arable land, contributing to around 8% of the country's grain production, thereby playing a vital role in ensuring national food security [1]

Group 1: Water Resource Management - The Ministry of Water Resources has modernized 1,959 large and medium-sized irrigation areas in the past five years, adding and restoring over 20 million acres of irrigation area [1] - By the end of 2024, the irrigated area of arable land is expected to increase by 49 million acres compared to the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan, with over 80% of the grain production coming from this irrigated area [1] - The implementation of flood control projects has reduced flooded arable land by 73.6 million acres, preventing a reduction in grain production of 53 billion jin [1] Group 2: Agricultural Water Efficiency - The Ministry of Water Resources is establishing a comprehensive agricultural water-saving policy system, including scientific irrigation systems, water measurement monitoring, and water pricing policies [1] - By the end of 2024, the area of water-saving irrigation projects is expected to reach 63.8 million acres, a 12.5% increase compared to the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan, with a 4% reduction in average water usage per acre of irrigated land [1] Group 3: Rural Water Supply Improvement - The proportion of rural population served by large-scale water supply projects has increased by 15 percentage points compared to the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan, with the number of small-scale centralized and decentralized water supply projects reduced by nearly half [2] - China has established the world's largest rural centralized water supply system, becoming the country with the most significant efforts to improve drinking water conditions for rural populations [2] - By the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan, the national tap water coverage rate in rural areas is expected to reach 96% [2]

Group 1 - The core message emphasizes the significant advancements in water management and irrigation in China over the past five years, highlighting the modernization of irrigation systems and the increase in irrigated land area [1] - A total of 1,959 large and medium-sized irrigation areas have been modernized, resulting in the addition of over 20 million acres of restored and improved irrigation [1] - By the end of 2024, the irrigated area of arable land is expected to increase by 49 million acres compared to the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan, with over 80% of grain production coming from this irrigated area [1] Group 2 - The report indicates that the implementation of flood control measures has successfully reduced the inundation of arable land by 73.6 million acres, preventing a reduction in grain production by 53 billion pounds [1] - The establishment of a comprehensive agricultural water-saving policy framework is underway, focusing on scientific irrigation systems, water measurement, pricing policies, and water-saving technologies [1] - By the end of 2024, the area of water-saving irrigation projects is projected to reach 63.8 million acres, a 12.5% increase from the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan, with a 4% reduction in average water usage per acre of irrigated land [1] Group 3 - The efficiency of water supply has improved, with the proportion of rural population served by large-scale water supply projects increasing by 15 percentage points compared to the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan [2] - The number of small-scale centralized and decentralized water supply projects has been reduced by nearly half, creating a primary reliance on large-scale water supply systems [2] - China has established the world's largest rural centralized water supply system, aiming for a nationwide tap water coverage rate of 96% by the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan [2]

Core Points - The Ministry of Water Resources reported significant achievements in high-quality water management during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, including the modernization of irrigation systems and increased irrigated land area [1][2] Group 1: Achievements in Irrigation - Over the past five years, 1,959 large and medium-sized irrigation areas have been modernized, resulting in the addition and restoration of over 20 million acres of irrigated land [1] - By the end of 2024, the total irrigated area of arable land is expected to increase by 4.9 million acres compared to the end of the "13th Five-Year Plan," with over 80% of the grain production coming from irrigated areas [1] Group 2: Measures for Food Security - The Ministry has implemented three key strategies to enhance water security for food production: developing modern irrigation areas, precise disaster response, and improving agricultural water efficiency [2] - In response to severe droughts, targeted actions were taken, including the coordinated management of 75 large and medium-sized reservoirs, which supplied 6.2 billion cubic meters of water to ensure irrigation for 18.3 million acres of autumn crops [2] - The establishment of a comprehensive agricultural water-saving policy framework has led to a 12.5% increase in water-saving irrigation areas, reaching 63.8 million acres by the end of 2024, while reducing average water usage per acre by 4% [2]

Core Viewpoint - The Gansu Provincial Water Resources Department emphasizes the importance of rural water conservancy work and the need for high-quality development in rural water supply systems as part of the 14th Five-Year Plan and preparation for the 15th Five-Year Plan [1][2] Group 1: Meeting Overview - A provincial meeting was held to discuss rural water conservancy work and standardized management in irrigation areas, attended by key officials from various departments [1] - The meeting conveyed the spirit of the 2025 National Rural Water Conservancy and Hydropower Work Conference and reviewed the progress of Gansu's rural water conservancy work in the first half of 2025 [1] Group 2: Key Initiatives and Goals - The Gansu Provincial Water Resources Department aims to ensure the completion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and a smooth start to the 15th Five-Year Plan by focusing on four key transformations in rural water supply [2] - Emphasis is placed on improving irrigation management and construction to enhance food security and develop modern irrigation management systems [2] - The establishment of a five-item system for agricultural water conservation and efficiency is prioritized, including the enhancement of irrigation station networks and water pricing mechanisms [2] - A concentrated effort will be made to address issues in rural water supply projects, ensuring quality construction and effective management [2]

Core Viewpoint - Jiangxi Province has initiated an action plan to establish a comprehensive agricultural water-saving and efficiency improvement policy system, marking a significant step in promoting agricultural water conservation efforts in the region [1][2]. Summary by Relevant Sections Agricultural Water Usage - Agriculture accounts for approximately 65% of the total water usage in Jiangxi, indicating a substantial potential for water conservation [1]. Policy Framework - The action plan focuses on five key institutional frameworks: scientific irrigation, water measurement, agricultural water pricing, water-saving market, and technology and services [1][2]. Scientific Irrigation System - The plan aims to accelerate the construction of irrigation experimental stations and improve the standards for agricultural irrigation water quotas, enhancing the water supply security and precision of irrigation practices [1]. Water Measurement Monitoring System - A comprehensive agricultural water measurement and monitoring system will be established to ensure accurate and practical monitoring of agricultural water usage, aligning with initial water rights and precise irrigation decisions [1][2]. Agricultural Water Pricing Policy - The plan includes the refinement of the agricultural water pricing mechanism, implementing precise subsidy mechanisms, and establishing a dynamic pricing adjustment system to curb unreasonable water demand without increasing the financial burden on farmers [2]. Water-Saving Market System - The action plan promotes the establishment of a fair water rights trading market to facilitate water rights transactions among agricultural users, thereby enhancing market vitality for water conservation [2]. Technology and Service System - Emphasis will be placed on the research, integration, and promotion of efficient water-saving irrigation technologies, alongside the development of a specialized technical service network to support agricultural water-saving initiatives [2]. Future Actions - Jiangxi will implement strict policy enforcement, enhance facility construction, and strengthen public awareness to continuously improve the agricultural water-saving and efficiency system [2].