Xifeng advances modernization of irrigation areas

To ensure food and water security, Xifeng county is prioritizing water conservation. It is establishing a water pricing mechanism conducive to promoting water resource conservation and the sound operation of hydraulic engineering, significantly enhancing the efficiency of agricultural water use.

In 2023, the county completed the construction of 10 irrigation areas, covering an area of 27,000 mu (1800 hectares) and costing 340,000 yuan ($47,498).

During the construction of irrigation areas, Xifeng installed 10 sets of solar-powered wireless 4G-integrated open-channel ultrasonic flow meters to enhance the precision of measurements.

For newly built or expanded agricultural water conservancy projects, efforts were made to achieve "three synchronizations," synchronizing the design, construction, and commissioning of measurement facilities with the development of irrigation areas.

Meanwhile, existing project measurement facilities were improved to achieve the intelligent measurement of water usage in key irrigation projects, thereby strengthening measurement infrastructure for the conservation of agricultural water.

Since the implementation of comprehensive reforms in agricultural water pricing, there has been a noticeable increase in water conservation awareness among farmers in Xifeng.

The reforms have also promoted water conservation in agriculture, optimized resource allocation, improved irrigation efficiency, ensured the sound operation of hydraulic engineering, and advanced the modernization of irrigation areas in the county.