Ji Wenhua, Cai Jianming

In: UA Magazine no. 20 - Water for Urban Agriculture, pp. 11-13

Beijing is facing a shortage of water. Because of downward trend in rainfall, surface water is gradually drying up and the level of groundwater is declining. This decline in availability of water is affecting urban agriculture in the city. Innovations are being sought by both the government and farmers focusing on the use of new water sources, like reuse of wastewater and rainwater harvesting, and improved water management.

Zhang Feifei, Cai Jianming and Ji Wenhua

In: UA Magazine no. 19 - Stimulating Innovation in Urban Agriculture

Beijing is a city faced with a shortage of water. Less than 600 mm of rain falls per year; but this figure is highly variable and actual rainfall has been lower than average in the past eight years. Less than 300 cubic metres of water is available per person per year; this is one eighth of the average volume per person available in the country as a whole and one thirtieth of the world average. Because of the downward trend in rainfall, surface water is gradually drying up and the level of ground water is declining.