Study On Virtual Water Trade Of Crop In Hebei Province

Hebei's extreme levels of water scarcity threaten its role as one of China's major grain producing provinces.In order to examine the water scarcity situation of Hebei,this paper calculates the virtual water trade(import/export)from 2009 to 2013 for maize,rice and wheat.Furthermore,levels of domestic import and export of these 3 grains were examined for more detailed analysis of water savings and loss through trade.Virtual water trade calculation results for Hebei's maize,rice and wheat production show that the import and export of these three grains from 2009 to 2013 results in a net virtual water loss of 25,140,987,78.4 m3.As an indicator of water resource appropriation,virtual water trade for grain in Hebei province shows that sustained production surplus for maize and wheat has been creating an unsustainable trend in agricultural production on Hebei's water resource availability.Given the intensification of water scarcity in Hebei over the years,application of virtual water trade can provide a sustainable solution to Hebei's water scarcity issues through restructuring China's agriculture to better suit local and regional endowment of resources.Although,virtual water trade has yet to be accepted in China's water security strategy,the author recommends implementing virtual water trade in to future water management strategy.