Study On Implement Of Virtual Water Strategy Of Xinjiang

Xinjiang is in the northwest of China, which is a typical arid region. Drought, desertification and water scarcity have become obstacle factors to the socio-economic development of Xinjiang, which seriously restrict the development of industrial and agricultural production and the improvement of living standards. In this paper based on the foreign research in existence we have made systematic theoretical analysis and empirical study in the view of virtual water on the management of water resources of Xinjiang under the conditions of an open economy.Based on the analysis of water resources status, the reasons for water shortage and the problem existed in development and utilization of Xinjiang, we discussed on the balance between supply and demand of water resources. Using the CROPWAT software, CROP and CLIMATE database recommended by FAO, and Statistical Yearbook as data sources, we calculated the virtual water content of Xinjiang's major agricultural products in 2001-2005, Urban and rural residents in Xinjiang's total consumption of virtual water and virtual water trade volume in 2005.Through three aspects--economic effective simulation, ecological benefits simulation and the impact on food security, we have made quantitative research on the implementation of virtual water in Xinjiang. At the end we brought forward some suggestions, such as changes of effectiveness of virtual water trade and urban and rural residents dietary consumption patterns, agricultural and industrial layout , structure adjustment and Government intervention and other measures to in Xinjiang's industrial structure of agriculture.