Regional differences and dynamic evolution of agricultural water resources utilization efficiency in China

Improving water resources utilization efficiency is conducive to achieving the sustainable development of water resources. It is essential to explore the regional differences and dynamic evolution of agricultural water resources utilization efficiency in China to promote high-quality development of agriculture. In this study, based on the unexpected output, we build a super slack-based measure model to measure agricultural water resources utilization efficiency in China's provinces from 2007 to 2018. In addition, we use the Dagum Gini coefficient to analyze the source of regional differences. Finally, we construct the distributed dynamics model to explore the distribution of the dynamic evolution trend of China's agricultural water resources utilization efficiency. The results reveal that regional difference is the main source of the overall difference in agricultural water resources utilization efficiency in China. Spatial imbalance exists in the development of agricultural water resources utilization efficiency in China. The agricultural water resources utilization efficiency in various provinces and regions of China is relatively stable, having the characteristics of club convergence. The probability of maintaining the initial state is high, and the internal mobility is low. However, with time, the degree of club convergence decreases.

Efficient agricultural drip irrigation inspired by fig leaf morphology

Irrigation is limited by water scarcity. Here, we show how a drip irrigation system inspired by the leaf of the fig tree Ficus religiosa (also known as the bodhi tree) can improve irrigation efficiency. The reverse curvature of the leaf regulates the convergence process of multiple water streams, while its long-tail apex allows for fast water drainage with the droplet separation centroid beyond the leaf apex. We explain why drip frequency increases after the break-up of contact line pinning at the apex tip by using scaling laws for drip volume and analyzing drainage dynamics. We build a drip irrigation emitter inspired by the bodhi leaf apex and compare the germination efficiency of wheat, cotton, and maize under different irrigation modes. These results show that the proposed bodhi-leaf-apex-mimetic (BLAM) drip irrigation can improve water saving while ensuring germination and seedling growth.

Synergistic study of the green efficiency and economic resilience of agriculture from a sustainable development perspective: evidence from Northeast China

Under the scenario of the complex external environment and internal structural changes in agricultural development, exploring the synergistic relationship between agricultural green efficiency (AGE) and agricultural economic resilience (AER) can offer a new path for fostering sustainable regional agricultural development. This paper fills the research gap in the interaction between efficiency and resilience in agriculture. We explore the synergistic mechanism of the two based on the perspective of sustainable development, providing a reference for constructing a synergistic theoretical system of AGE and AER. Moreover, we apply the Haken model to the field of the agricultural economy and scientifically evaluate the level of AGE and AER synergy in Northeast China from 2010 to 2020. Finally, we analyze the influencing factors of AGE and AER synergy in Northeast China from three dimensions: economic, social, and natural. The results show that AER is dominant in the AGE-AER synergistic system. The synergy level of AGE and AER in Northeast China is mainly in the higher and advanced synergy stages, with obvious spatio-temporal differences and insufficient inter-regional radiation effects. Social factors are the main factors of spatial differentiation of AGE and AER synergy.

Evolutionary Trends, Regional Differences and Influencing Factors of the Green Efficiency of Agricultural Water Use in China Based on WF-GTWR Model

Improving the green efficiency of agricultural water use is a key way to promote the sustainable utilization of agricultural water resources and sustainable development of economy and society. This work calculated and analyzed the evolution trend, regional differences and driving factors of the green efficiency of agricultural water use in China from the perspective of the water footprint. The results show that the green efficiency of agricultural water use in China shows a fluctuation trend of first declining and then rising from 1997 to 2020, after which the average efficiency dropped from 0.538 in 1997 to 0.406 in 2009, and then rose rapidly to 0.989 in 2020, with an average annual growth rate of about 3.6%. From a regional perspective, the green efficiency of agricultural water use in the eastern region was the highest (0.594), above the national average (0.538), followed by the western region (0.522), with the central region in last (0.491), with significant regional differences. The spatial differences in the green efficiency of available agricultural water in China shows a fluctuating downward trend. The Gini coefficient fluctuated from 0.271 in 1997 to 0.182 in 2020, with an average annual growth rate of about -1.4%. The main source of this regional difference was super-variable density, followed by the difference between the eastern and the central regions. The influence of urbanization level, water-saving level and agricultural trade on the green efficiency of agricultural water use was always positive and the influence of industrialization level was always negative; among them, the urbanization level, water-saving level and industrialization level had a greater impact on Northeast China, and agricultural trade had a greater impact on Southeast China. Therefore, this work puts forward relevant policy recommendations.

Wine Supply Chain Network Configuration under a Water Footprint Cap

As agriculture and industry exploit more than 90% of the global freshwater resources, water overuse and degradation have emerged as critical socio-environmental challenges for both nations and corporations. In this context, the water footprint concept was introduced in order to quantify the freshwater consumption and pollution of a territory or across a product’s life cycle. As research on water management in supply chains is growing, this work aims to integrate the perspective of freshwater resources into supply network configuration. Focusing on the agrifood sector, we have developed a mixed-integer linear programming model that can be used to minimize the operational costs under a water footprint cap in a wine supply chain network by selecting the optimal suppliers (vine growers), manufacturing sites (winemakers), and transportation modes (fuel-powered trucks). The optimization outcomes unveil that the wine network’s configurations (structure and fuel type) vary significantly depending on the values of the water footprint cap so as to balance the trade-off between economic and water-related environmental efficiency. Beyond the viticulture sector, the proposed model is anticipated to act as a paradigm for setting joint sustainable targets or caps to limit water use across supply chains.

Exploring the Spatial Network Structure of Agricultural Water Use Efficiency in China: A Social Network Perspective

The exploration of the spatial network structure of agricultural water use efficiency (AWUE) and its influencing factors for promoting water saving and improving water use efficiency in regional agricultural production is of great importance. In this paper, the modified gravity model and social network analysis methods were used to study the spatial correlation characteristics and influencing factors of AWUE in China between the years 2008 and 2019. It was found that (1) the overall trend of AWUE in China has been fluctuating and declining, and there are obvious differences in AWUE in each region; (2) the spatial network structure of AWUE in China is complex and relatively stable, with close interprovincial connections and obvious spatial spillover effects; (3) Shanghai, Beijing, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang are at the center of the network; and (4) the differences between geographical adjacency, technological development level, farmers’ income, and natural resource endowment have significant effects on the development of the AWUE network. These results provide a theoretical basis for the government to improve AWUE and promote collaborative regional development.