PROJECT ASSESSMENTS - Science for Agriculture and Rural Development in Low-income Countries - page 205

The main changes in the agricultural production systems in Beijing Municipality
during the last decade are: (1) loss of arable land areas due to conversion to urban
areas; (2) rapid reduction in arable land areas and rapid increase in orchards; (3) rapid
reduction in grain crop area and rapid increase in vegetable crop area; (4) strong
increase in fertilizer use per hectare; (5) strong reduction in total water use for
irrigation; (6) shift in livestock from the near-suburbs to the outer suburbs and
counties; (7) rapid increase in livestock numbers, in particular cattle, sheep and
poultry.
The quality of surface water has deteriorated since the 1970s when the diffuse
pollution (from agricultural land areas) increased, as well as total water use by
industry and urban life. However, the treated fraction of sewage waste was low and
hence, rivers and lakes became severely polluted. The quality of groundwater has
deteriorated since the 1980s. The frequency that environmental standards for
groundwater were exceeded, was high, in particular for nitrate. Water pollution from
agricultural activities is mainly caused by both run-off and leaching of pesticides,
organic and chemical fertilizers from in particular the intensive (i.e., characterized
by high input levels of fertilizers and biocides) arable and vegetable cropping areas.
In addition, the intensive livestock sector and the associated large manure
production are major causes for water pollution.
Case studies are to be carried out on pressing issues in Beijing Municipality and
other mega-cities. These issues are in particular the intensification of agricultural
production (i.e., vegetable cropping with high fertilizer use and increasing livestock
density and production) and its impact on water quality and the competitive demands
(i.e., from agriculture and urban areas) on the limited water and land resources. Such
studies may indicate the need for changes in land use, water-saving, improved pro-
duction technologies and more environment-friendly agricultural production systems.
Case study analyses should indicate the range of possible policies, the future
options for urban, industrial and agricultural development, possible conflicting effects
of the policies, and the resulting land use, soil and water pollution, water quality,
water supply and demand in case study areas of Beijing Municipality and other
mega-cities.
(b) From RDA for Shunyi district in Beijing municipality (small part of discussions):
Officers from Science &Technology Committee of Shunyi

• The key issue for agriculture is how to increase income for farmers;

• Efficiency of the available resources need to be increased;

• Restructuring of agriculture is required;

• Development of secondary and tertiary industries is necessary to increase

employment opportunities, particularly for (surplus) rural labour;

• Land is limited in Shunyi, so, agriculture in Shunyi should focus on high value

commodities, such as developing breeding animals (pigs and sheep) and seed/
seedling production (vegetables, melon and flowers);