Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Food security of Northwest China under current water resources and food consumption patterns

Author(s):

Jianping Li ¹, Jing Chen ¹, Zhouping Shangguan ²*

Recieved Date: 2014-06-22, Accepted Date: 2014-09-24

Abstract:

This study investigated the effects of water resources and food consumption patterns on the food security of Northwest China. A regional water requirement model (RWRM) and a food security model (FSM) were set up to evaluate the water shortage and food security of Northwest China, respectively. The results showed that the water resource shortage of Northwest China is severe and thus the status of food security is unsafe without food import; the urban food security of the region is better than the rural food security, and more water and energy are needed for the urban population; and the water shortage of Northwest China has increased dramatically since 1983 and will continue to increase in the future, having already reached 170 billion m³ in 2010 and will reach 400 billion m³ in 2050. Finally, some countermeasures that should be taken to safeguard the food and water securities of Northwest China are as follows: control the population growth according to the local conditions and the population and structure of the ethnic (minority) peoples; promote calorie-appropriate and energy-efficient diets instead of unhealthy diets; eliminate food wastes; and develop water-saving agriculture and breed water-saving crop varieties. The models and proposed countermeasures are expected to provide theoretical foundation and practical guidance for sustainable development and food security of Northwest China.

Keywords:

Food security, agricultural water resource, food consumption pattern, Northwest China, model

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2014
Volume: 12
Issue: 3&4
Category: Food and Health
Pages: 12-18

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