In-Situ Plastic Mulching Technology Dramatically Increases Water-Use Efficiency and Enhances Food Production.

Gansu Province is situated in the Loess Plateau Northwest China with annual precipitation 300-500 mm and evapotranspiration over 1000 mm. Sevier water shortage is the greatest limiting factor to food production, and chronic hunger and poverty has prevailed in the region for generations.  Recently, a simple technology adopted in the area’s agriculture production system is bringing about a revolutionary change.  Plastic mulching, an age-old technique, has proved effective in in-situ rain harvest, enhancing water use efficiency, raising soil temperature, and substantially increasing crop yields.  Since 2005, this technology has been widely embraced by farmers across the region for producing a variety of staple as well as cash crops, e.g. wheat, corn, fava beans, potatoes, and vegetables.  Crop yields increased from 30% to more than 100%.  Total grain output across the Province increased by 24%.  Crop residues, also increased dramatically, are fed to animals for market, supplementing smallholders’ income.  The simple plastic-mulch technology has enabled Gansu’s 25 million people to become food secure for the first time in decades.