Following a major drought, Cargill is working with farmers to perfect their irrigation methods.

Cargill has launched a pilot project in the Henan Province of China designed to improve irrigation methods used by farmers in order to save water and increase crop production efficiency. In China, agricultural irrigation accounts for 65 percent of total annual water consumption. So, there is great potential for water and energy savings.

The recent drought in north and central China exposed the poor quality of existing irrigation systems, especially in underdeveloped areas. Many farmers use flood irrigation, which is inefficient and leads to high losses of water.

Tailor-made solutions

Cargill is organizing farmer training that will focus on water-saving irrigation, scientific planting and animal nutrition courses. The pilot project of the Water Saving Irrigation Improvement Plan will be conducted in Henan, the province hit hardest by the drought.  Project staff is now investigating the geology, water and irrigation conditions in selective villages. 

They will then consult with officials from the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief and local farmers to develop tailor-made water-saving irrigation solutions for villages. Meanwhile, experts on animal nutrition from Cargill and agronomists from Mosaic, whose majority shareholder is Cargill, will provide farming and animal nutrition training. With a comprehensive approach, Cargill hopes to support farmers in improving production efficiency and increasing their incomes.

Investing in communities

Cargill’s presence in China dates to the 1970s shortly after the release of the Sino-U.S. Joint Communiqué. Today, Cargill employs more than 5,000 people in China, and has 34 wholly-owned companies and joint ventures. The Water Saving Irrigation Improvement Plan is being conducted in cooperation with China’s Foreign Capital Project Management Center of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development (FCPMC).  

Norwell Coquillard, President of Cargill China says, “This program is a part of our commitment to support China’s sustainable rural development. By initiating it with FCMCP, and working with anti-drought officials and local farmers, we aim to help farmers with practical solutions to increase yields and productivity, which ultimately helps to increase income." 

Partnering to achieve results

Liu Sheng’an, the Division Chief of FCPMC has high expectations for the program.  “The plan is in line with our work in poverty alleviation; meanwhile, it is of special importance under the current situation of severe drought disaster hitting more than 10 provinces in China.”  Zhang Jiatuan, the Chief of the 1st Division of National Flood Prevention and Drought Fighting Headquarters, also welcomes it.  “Under the current circumstances, it is really a big challenge to completely resolve the problem of inefficient irrigation systems in China’s rural areas."