An Analysis of Water Use Efficiency of Staple Grain Productions in China: Based on the Crop Water Footprints at Provincial Level

This article analyzed the water use efficiency of China’s staple grain productions (maize, rice, and wheat). This research calculated the water footprints of crop production using the CROPWAT model based on reported water use in 2000 and during 2015–2019, and both green and blue water footprints were calculated. The results showed that compared to 2000 water use efficiency of crop production for maize, rice and wheat during 2015–2019 were increased by about 12.4%, 10.8%, and 2.5% respectively. The current spatial structure of the stable grain industry that makes up grain production regions are concentrated in northern China, then grains are distributed across China (North-to-South Grain Transportation). This has advantages in the increase of agricultural water productivity. This research indicated that agricultural policies should further consider an advance of regional grain production, along with the optimization of transportation channels for stable grains to increase irrigation water use efficiency. The establishment of staple grain production in designated areas not only ensures China’s food security, but also promotes the sustainable use of irrigation water resources.