How Will The "Water Footprint" of Xinjiang Cotton Change Under Climate Change?
Tuesday, July 8, 2025 - 06:05
in Earth & Climate
Xinjiang, as one of the driest provinces in China, has an average annual precipitation of less than 270 mm and an evaporation rate exceeding 1000 mm, yet it produces 25% of the world's cotton, contributing 91.0% of the national cotton production and 35% of farmers' income. Cotton cultivation in this region heavily relies on irrigation, and climate change is likely to exacerbate aridity in Xinjiang. In this context, how will the water use structure of cotton production in Xinjiang change? How can the water-saving potential of different irrigation technologies be assessed? A study by Dr. La Zhuo and colleagues from the Institute of Soil and Water Conservation at Northwest A&F University has answered these questions.