Cooperation and Development—Celebration of the 20th Anniversary
of the Government Loan Cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and the State of Israel
The Water-saving Agriculture Project of
Ningxia Hui Autuonomous Region
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (hereinafter as Ningxia) is located in the northwest inland plateau. The
climate in this region is arid. The precipitation is limited while the evaporation is intensive. Due to the
unbalanced distribution of water and land resources, the agricultural production is seriously restrained by
water resources. In order to promote water-saving agriculture in Ningxia, construct irrigation facilities with
demonstration purpose and enhance technical upgrading and innovation in water-saving irrigation, Ningxia
applied for an Israeli Government Loan to implement Ningxia water-saving Agriculture Project (hereinafter
as the Project) in 2012.
The total investment of the project is RMB 481.96 million, including USD 60 million (or RMB 367.80
million; 78% of total investment) Israeli Government Loan and RMB 103.96 million Chinese counterpart
fund (22% of total investment). The construction period of the Project is 3 years (2015 - 2017).
The construction of the Project is centered with a water-saving irrigation objective set by the Ningxia
Autonomous Region Government. The project has remained relevant despite local industrial structure
adjustments. The project gives priority to viniculture development along the eastern piedmont of Mt.
Helan, covering 7 counties of Shizuishan, Yinchuan and Wuzhong City, and 2 state-owned farms within
the agricultural reclamation system. It is planned that the total construction area will be 9200 ha, including
1356 ha in Huinong District and Dawukou District in Shizuishan, 5884 ha in Helan County, Xixia District,
Yongning County and agricultural reclamation system in Yinchuan, and 1960 ha in Hongsibao Development
Area and Qingtongxia in Wuzhong.
The project agreement came into effect in April 2015. The first batch of imported goods was transported to
the project site on July 11st, 2015.
By March 2016, the use of the Israeli loan amounted to USD 10.69 million and 16 sets of a drip irrigation
system were imported from Israel. The drip irrigation and water-saving area had covered 800 ha. 2 training
courses have been conducted and 110 various agricultural technical personnel were trained.
The implementation of this project has pushed forward the construction of the water-saving society,
popularized water-saving irrigation and improved water utility efficiency in Ningxia. This is significant to
the development of the local superiority characteristic industry and the local industrial structure adjustment
is beneficial to the new rural construction and harmonious society. In general, the project has strong and
comprehensive demonstrative effects.
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