China, People's Republic of : Fujian Farmland Sustainable Utilization and Demonstration

Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / Agricultural production - Irrigation - Land-based natural resources management - Water-based natural resources management

Fertile farmland is a fundamental need for sustainable agricultural production. Due to natural and man-made causes, Fujian's farmland has lost its soil fertility as seen in other part of the PRC. Farmland with poor soil fertility affects crop productivity and consequently livelihoods of those involved in the agricultural production. Lack of farmland management due to the shortage of and aging farmers contributes to the deterioration of farmland quality and the lowering productivity.

Soil erosion is a serious threat to farmland soil fertility. Soil erosion results in farmland degradation, frequent drought, and serious waterlogging over its farmland areas. Due to the limited lowland (approximately 10% of the provincial area), Fujian has extensively used upland (i.e., sloping land) for crop farming. However, the upland farming tends to cause runoff of soil, particularly its top layer rich in organic matters, due to the gravity. Together with the sub-tropical monsoon climate, the upland farming makes Fujian's farmland highly susceptive to soil erosion. Climate change is expected to make precipitation more erratic and wind and summer heat stronger, and consequently amplify the detrimental soil erosion impact on Fujian's farmland.

In addition to the unique topography and climate, soil erosion in farmland is caused by inappropriate land management and unsustainable farming practices (e.g., poor soil management, excessive use of agriculture chemicals, and poor onfarm water management). At present, 78% of Fujian's arable land is classified as moderately or severely degraded and it could continue to deteriorate without appropriate actions to be taken. Fujian's challenge is to continue to utilize the upland for farming while mitigating soil erosion in tandem. To overcome this challenge, Fujian needs to improve on farmland management and farming practices, for which this project will assist the province.

The project is consistent with the PRC's Twelfth Five-Year Plan (2011 2015), which pursues the long-term goal of building a harmonious and moderately prosperous society through livelihood improvement, and regionally balanced and environmentally sustainable growth. It is also consistent with the third plenum of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee affirmed the government's firm commitment to the establishment of ecological civilization. It is also in line with ADB's country partnership strategy, 2011 2015 for the PRC in supporting the government's overarching strategic goal by focusing on inclusive and environmentally sustainable growth. The project is included in ADB's lending pipeline as 2016 firm for the PRC.