Agricultural Regions Research Articles

Impacts of salinity intrusion on agriculture in the coastal region of Bangladesh

Impacts of salinity intrusion on agriculture in the coastal region of Bangladesh

Promoting Workplace Health, Safety, and Well-Being Among Essential Agricultural Workers Through Vaccine-Preventable Infectious Diseases Training in the Rio Grande Valley

ABSTRACT Introduction Health, safety, and well-being training programs provide essential education on anticipating, identifying, and mitigating exposures like infectious diseases. Gaps in infectious diseases awareness and education became especially apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently were exacerbated by mis- and disinformation. Methods Vaccine-preventable infectious diseases training (influenza, hepatitis A and B, and tetanus infections, including COVID-19) was developed, delivered, and evaluated among 1,043 farmworkers, bodega workers, and production management in the Rio Grande Valley using mobile-learning technologies. The Kirkpatrick Four-Level Training Evaluation Model was utilized to evaluate training satisfaction (Level 1), effectiveness (Level 2), and effect on behavior (Level 3). Results The mean score on the pretest before training was 67.8% (SD 17.5), and the mean score on the same test immediately after the video training was 77.2% (SD 17.9). A paired t-test revealed that knowledge improved significantly from pre- to post-training (p < .05). We observed a difference between mean pre- and post-test scores relative to the pooled standard deviation, resulting in an effect size estimate of 0.53 indicative of a medium learning effect. Conclusion There is no “silver bullet” for training migrating bodega and farmworkers. Our findings suggest that the utilization of m-learning techniques continues to be a successful mechanism for delivering health, safety, and well-being awareness training content to agricultural workers in remote and challenging work environments. There is a long overdue need for offline capable software with features that allow equitable access to training, even in remote farming regions.

Research on the efficiency and spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of agricultural green development in central cities of the Yangtze River Delta

IntroductionAgricultural green development (AGD) prioritizes sustainable growth by integrating economic, ecological, and social dimensions, aiming to harmonize agricultural economic development with environmental protection and social progress.MethodsThis study integrates the three-stage super-efficiency DEA-SBM model with the BP algorithm, creating an advanced DEA-SBM-BP model to overcome the shortcomings of traditional DEA in evaluation and management processes. The study further applies the Dagum Gini coefficient, kernel density estimation (KDE), and Moran’s index to assess and forecast the efficiency and spatiotemporal evolution patterns of green agricultural development in key cities within the Yangtze River Delta.ResultsThe analysis shows that AGD in the central city of the Yangtze River Delta is overall balanced; however, substantial variations exist among cities within individual provinces. Factors like macroeconomic conditions, workforce quality, and policy support play a crucial role in promoting the efficiency of AGD. Among these, macroeconomic development level has a negative impact, while labor quality and policy support exhibit bidirectional effects. Infrastructure construction, digitalization of agricultural economy, and rural security have become key factors in the green development of modern agriculture. The green advancement of agriculture in the central Yangtze River Delta region typically exhibits a marked clustering effect; however, the local clustering reveals a trend toward dispersed development.DiscussionDespite the emergence of new characteristics in agricultural production in China within the context of high-quality development, differences in resource endowments and economic structures among cities continue to be significant factors contributing to regional imbalances and changes in the agglomeration patterns of agricultural development.

Reshaping the field: technocratic facts, high wheat yields, and the making of an ecological disaster

ABSTRACT Today the Yaqui Valley, a renowned farming region in northern Mexico, is a top emitter of greenhouse gas. Made famous as the birthplace of the Green Revolution, the high-yielding seeds that transformed the world’s farming were engineered in the research station located in the valley. Research led by agronomist Norman Borlaug not only transformed seeds but significantly altered the contemporary understanding of fertilizer use. Five times as much fertilizer as had previously been used became part of the needed recipe to produce high yields of wheat. Decades later, soil and groundwater contamination could be traced to the heavy use of agrochemicals. This article examines pre-1970s writings, both scientific publications and an oral history, to understand how this leap in fertilizer use became normalized and persisted for nearly seven decades.

From marginal croplands to natural habitats: A methodological framework for assessing the restoration potential to enhance wild-bee pollination in agricultural landscapes.

Intensive agriculture increases crop yields, but harms biodiversity and associated ecosystem services such as pollination. To sustain wild-bee pollination in intensive agricultural landscapes, a minimum of (semi-) natural habitat is needed in the vicinity of crop fields. However, restoration of (semi-) natural habitat is a challenge, especially when most land is allocated to commodity production. To evaluate the restoration potential of marginal lands to enhance pollination in intensive agricultural landscapes. We simulated restoration scenarios in marginal agricultural lands (abandoned and degraded fields, and field edges) in La Vallée-du-Richelieu (Quebec, Canada), aimed at enhancing pollination provision and increasing (semi-) natural habitat coverage by at least 20% within 1km from crop fields, the estimated minimum amount required to sustain wild-bee populations. We then evaluated the extent to which restoration targets were reached in our scenarios. More than half of the agricultural region studied remained with less than 20% (semi-) natural area coverage, and wild-bee pollination provision could not be ensured across the whole agricultural region after restoration. However, our results show that there is still an important potential for increasing natural habitat coverage by restoring marginal agricultural lands alone. Restoration of marginal lands has a key role to play in the transition towards multifunctionality of production landscapes but might not be sufficient to achieve goals such as those adopted at the COP15 (e.g., restoring 30% of degraded land). Our framework can assist landscape planners in evaluating the restoration potential of agricultural landscapes, as well as its limitations. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10980-024-01993-y.

Study on Regional Differences, Dynamic Evolution and Convergence of Nutrition-Sensitive Agricultural Development in China

This article constructs an evaluation index system for the development of nutrition-sensitive agriculture in China and measures the development level of nutrition-sensitive agriculture using the entropy method, based on the panel data of 31 provinces from 2000 to 2022. The Dagum Gini coefficient is employed to analyze the magnitude and sources of regional differences in the development level between the whole country and the four major regions. The Kernel density estimation method is applied to describe the dynamic evolutionary characteristics of the development level in different regions. Furthermore, this study delves into the σ convergence and β convergence characteristics of the development level. The results show the following: (a) The level of nutrition-sensitive agricultural development at the national level and in the four major regions has been rising year by year, with a clear spatial pattern of “high in the east and low in the west”. (b) There are significant regional differences at the national level and in the four major regions, which tend to widen. (c) The dynamic evolution characteristics of the development level of nutrition-sensitive agriculture in various regions differ greatly, with polarization in the national, eastern, western and northeastern regions. (d) There is no σ convergence in the development level of nutrition-sensitive agriculture in the country or in the four major regions, but there is absolute β convergence and conditional β convergence in all of them, with the northeastern and central regions having faster convergence speeds; the “catching-up effect” is obvious. The report concludes by outlining the policy ramifications for implementing a methodical and comprehensive strategy approach to support regionally coordinated development plans for leapfrogging and upgrading.

Emergence of multiple resistance to EPSPS and ALS herbicides in smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus): a growing concern in Brazil

Abstract Recently, farmers in Brazil have observed a decline in efficacy of glyphosate, chlorimuron, and imazethapyr control of smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L.). The objectives of this study were to quantify the resistance of Amaranthus in Brazil to glyphosate and acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides, elucidate the mechanism of resistance, and assess the frequency of sensitivity shifts to glyphosate and chlorimuron in Brazil. Dose–response assays were conducted in a greenhouse with glyphosate, chlorimuron, and imazethapyr. This was followed by sequencing of the EPSPS and ALS genes. Additionally , 740 Amaranthus populations across several Brazilian states were monitored over 4 yr, subjected to a single discriminatory dose of glyphosate and chlorimuron. The populations BR18Asp051 and BR21Asp205 were resistant to glyphosate, chlorimuron, and imazethapyr. The elevated resistance level to glyphosate in these populations is attributed to multiple amino acid substitutions (TAP-IVS) in the EPSPS gene; and cross-resistance to sulfonylureas and imidazolinones is conferred by the Trp-574-Leu substitution in the ALS gene in both populations. Overall, resistance distribution indicated that 88% of the sampled populations were considered sensitive to glyphosate, while 66% were sensitive to chlorimuron. Furthermore, 10% of the samples demonstrated multiple resistance to both active ingredients. A shift in glyphosate sensitivity was observed in four states in Brazil; however, sensitivity shifts to chlorimuron were more widely dispersed in Brazilian agricultural regions.

Optimizing sunflower yield: Understanding pollinator contribution to inform agri-environmental strategies

ContextThe agricultural intensification due to global increased food demand has harmed pollinator communities worldwide. However, some of the economically most important oilseed crops, such as the sunflower, depend on pollinators to produce seeds. While self-fertile varieties have undergone genetic selection to guarantee productivity, the pollinator-dependence levels and the economic contribution of pollinators have not been fully estimated. ObjectiveHere, we aimed to explore floral and pollinator constraints limiting the agricultural yield of sunflower varieties most frequently used in the Iberian Peninsula. MethodsPollination experiments were undertaken to analyse the pollinator-dependence level of 12 varieties under controlled conditions and also under natural conditions in 23 fields of two Spanish agricultural regions. The selfing ability and economic contribution of pollinators were estimated by comparing bagged and open-pollination treatments. ResultsOur results showed that the degree of pollinator-dependence is highly dependent on sunflower variety, with impacts on production and productivity outcomes, e.g. individual plant yield values varied between 0.188 and 0.692. Several varieties could self-fertilize and produce seeds regardless of pollinators. However, outcrossing significantly increased seed set in most varieties with increments up to 0.341. Overall, a trade-off between the number and weight of seeds was observed. Under natural field conditions, pollinators significantly increased overall sunflower production, although differences were observed among regions (increment of 275 kg/ha in Burgos and 382 kg/ha in Cuenca), with an associated economic outcome. ConclusionsThe self-fertilization ability and the level of pollinator-dependence vary according to the intrinsic reproductive traits of the variety analysed. Although some varieties are able to produce seeds despite the absence of pollinators, the sunflower clearly benefits from insect pollination. The landscape context and the availability of pollinator communities influenced the final crop yield and the economic outcome. SignificanceCombining landscape-restoring interventions with the cultivation of self-compatible varieties during at least the first years of implementation may be a solid additional agri-environmental strategy to maintain production levels and economic outcomes, which may particularly mitigate effects of pollinator and biodiversity losses mainly in highly simplified agroecosystems.

Impact of Fertility Levels and Biofertilizers on Chickpea Yield, Soil Fertility and Economic Returns

A field experiment was conducted for two rabi seasons (2019-20 &amp; 2020-21) at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandyala, Andhra Pradesh to study biofertilizers of PSB and inorganic fetilizers on growth, yield and quality Chickpea crop for Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. Afetr two years of the study, Significantly highest available soil Nitrogen (188 kg ha-1), Phosphorous (66.9 kg ha-1) and Potassium (484 kg ha-1) were recorded in treatment T8 (100% RDF + PSB in liquid form). Significantly highest chickpea yield of 2156 kg ha-1 was recorded with T8 (100% RDF + PSB (liquid form), the lowest yield was recorded with control (1839 kg ha-1). However, this treatment yielded results comparable to all treatments except the control during the two rabi seasons of 2019-20 and 2020-21. The economic evaluation of biofertilizers and chemical fertilizers application in chickpea crop revealed that maximum net returns (Rs 1,02,675) and higher B: C ratio (3.45) were obtained with application of 50% RDF plus PSB application. The present study was done to study to evaluate the influence of bio fertilizers on growth and yield of chickpea.

Assessing the Climatological Characteristics of Observed and Simulated Seasonal Onset of Precipitation Over Southern and Eastern Africa

ABSTRACTPrediction of seasonal onset is crucial to agriculture in southern and eastern Africa. Here, we applied two definitions of onset, namely meteorological and agricultural (crop‐germination), to evaluate CMIP6 models through the lens of rainfall onset over representative maize agricultural regions of South Africa, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia. We use the ERA5 reanalysis as a proxy for observations, and robust regression to calculate a statistical comparison of the onset definitions for the period 1979–2021. Evaluation of ERA5 reanalysis shows similar magnitude and pattern as gauge based MSWEP. Our results show that, for meteorological onset, Johannesburg, with a subtropical highland climate, experienced earliest onset after 23 December; and an increasing trend (later onset) but not statistically significant (p = 0.2). Over Bethlehem, which has continental climate, the earliest onset date was after October 9 and an increasing interannual variability since 2000 is noted. The standard deviation of onset dates across the regions shows an East‐Central‐South gradient. We also found that the crop‐germination onset definition shows earlier onset of seasonal rains, it differs considerably across regions, and has higher interannual variability, in comparison with the meteorological definition. Over Lilongwe, Mbeya and Lusaka, late meteorological onset with a weak positive and insignificant trend is observed. The CMIP6 model's representation of onset trend differs from reanalysis data, with inter‐model differences. Late meteorological onset is underestimated by GFDL‐CM4 and MPI while INM5, MPI and NorESM overestimate the observed earliest onset. The largest bias is shown by INM and MPI which simulate earliest and latest onset as 190 (07 January) and 206 (23 January) respectively. In addition, models often fail to simulate sufficient precipitation to produce onset for seed germination and crop development. The ACCESS model showed an insignificant trend (p value = 2) and later onset over Lilongwe, an insignificant trend (p value = 0.9) over Lusaka, and an earlier onset over Mbeya. Using the agricultural onset definition, over Bethlehem, all the models and the ERA5 reanalysis did not produce enough precipitation to meet onset conditions. We suggest that rainfall onset studies use several definitions or metrics of onset and that the choice of metric be informed by the research question. Using such an ensemble of onset metrics contributes to a better understanding of variability and uncertainties in agricultural productivity.

Assessment of Character Association in Pole Type French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Genotypes

The present investigation was carried out at Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Vijayapura during Rabi 2022-23. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with two replications. To study the association studies in 32 pole type French bean genotypes. The correlation studies revealed that pod yield per plant was found positively and significantly associated with number of pods per plant (rg=0.668 and rp=0.620), pod length (rg= 0.526 and rp =0.431), average 10 pod weight (rg= 0.657 and rp = 0.660), number of pods per cluster (rg=0.373 and rp= 0.344) and number of clusters per plant (rg =0.365 and rp= 0.345) at both genotypic and phenotypic level. The direct selection for these traits would be rewarding for improvement of pod yield per plant in pole type French bean.

Toward making the field talk: assessing the relationship between digital technology and sustainable food production in agricultural regions

Toward making the field talk: assessing the relationship between digital technology and sustainable food production in agricultural regions

Chemometric assessment of bioaccumulation and contamination pathways for toxic metals in diet and environment: implications for chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) in Sri Lankan agricultural regions.

Prolonged consumption of foods containing toxic metals can elevate the risk of noncommunicable diseases, including chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology (CKDu). Despite the increasing number of CKDu cases in Maradankulama and Mahakanadrawa Grama Niladhari Divisions (GN) in Sri Lanka, no prior studies have examined the accumulation of heavy metal(loid)s and their potential association with CKDu prevalence. Furthermore, there is an absence of comprehensive analyses using chemometric techniques such as PCA and hierarchical studies regarding CKDu and heavy metal contamination in Sri Lanka. This study aims to provide initial insights into the accumulation and potential pathways of toxic metals in staple foods within local diets and their subsequent presence in the agricultural environment of examined GNs. Cr, Cd, As, and Ni concentrations in analyzed foods were within permissible limits (MPLs), whereas Pb levels exceeded MPLs in rice (Oryza sativa), gotukola (Centella asiatica), lime (Citrus crenatifolia), and inland fish (Etroplus suratensis). High target hazard quotient (THQt) values in polished rice suggest possible health risks with prolonged intake. Hierarchical analysis suggested a common source of Pb accumulation. PCA and hierarchical clustering revealed the intricate connection between As and Cd, with their concurrent clustering in samples suggesting a potential common origin. This indicates that while individual concentrations comply with acceptable standards, the potential synergistic effects of Cd and As accumulation might pose elevated health risks. Further, the gut tissues of inland fish exhibited pronounced metal concentrations and significant (p < 0.05) positive correlations with toxic metals in the tank sediments suggesting a diet-based bioaccumulation pathway through sediments.

Simulating Agricultural Water Recycling Using the APEX Model

Irrigation plays a vital role in many agricultural crop production regions. Drainage water recycling (DWR) is a popular irrigation water management system that collects excess water drained from cropland fields and stores it in on-site reservoirs for reuse. The efficacy of these systems varies by location, climate, irrigation frequency, and crop demands. Simulating this system would be beneficial for assessing the impact of water and land management practices on agriculture and natural resources. This study presents the development of computational algorithms for DWR simulation with the Agricultural Policy Environmental eXtender (APEX) model, along with the results for 39 testing sites where both reservoir and drainage systems are adopted. Simulating a DWR system with the revised reservoir module, the APEX model simulates irrigation water reuse ranging between 29% and 93%; sediment reduction of around 66%; nitrogen loss reduction of 23% and 73% for the mineral and organic forms, respectively; and phosphorus loss reduction of 22% and 79% for the soluble and sediment-transported forms, respectively. In conclusion, the results provided by the APEX model for sediment loss reduction align with field data, but discrepancies for nitrogen and phosphorus losses emerged from this test.

Role of Vermicompost and algae Extract in Improving Growth and Fruit Quality of Mango (Keitt)

This research, spanning the 2021 and 2022 seasons, aimed to explore the impact of vermicomposting on the growth and productivity of Mango trees (cv. Keitt) cultivated in sandy soil at Ahmed Orabi Agricultural region, El-Obour City, Cairo Governorate, Egypt. The selected trees underwent various treatments, including water (control), vermicomposting at 1 or 2 Kg/tree, Spirulina platensis algae extract at (5 or 10ml/l), and their combinations. Optimal results in terms of leaf fresh and dry weight, leaf area, and chlorophyll content were observed with the treatment of 2kg vermicompost + 10ml/l algae extract. Furthermore, the addition of vermicompost along with algae extract improved the leaf status of N, P, K, and Ca. Application of both vermicompost and algae extract, whether individually or in combination, demonstrated positive effects on the physicochemical quality of the fruit. The findings suggest that the simultaneous use of vermicompost and algae extract holds promise as a supplementary material for enhancing the growth, productivity, and fruit quality of Mango trees.

Evaluation of Genotypes against Water Stress and Salinity in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abiotic stresses pose significant challenges to growth, yield and productivity thus threatening food security. Hence, it is essential to develop climate resilient rice varieties that mitigate the impact of abiotic stress. A study on physiological characterization for water and salinity stress was conducted in twenty-eight rice genotypes during kharif 2023 at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Maruteru. Among all the treatments, root length, shoot length, root and shoot dry weight and chlorophyll content was maximum under control followed by 1% mannitol, 2% mannitol and salinity stress. Visual scoring for water stress at seedling stage revealed that under mild water stress (1% M) more than 90% of plants survived in genotypes viz., AC-35678, FL 478, Ravana, Rahaspunjar, AUS 63, AUS 73, Vandana, NICRA 16, NICRA 17, CR-3439-4-E-17-2-1-B-1-S-1, CR-4215-2-5-2-M-4-SUB-2-5-1. Under severe water stress (2% M) more than 70% of the seedlings survived in NICRA 16, CR-4215-2-5-2-M-4-SUB-2-5-1, CRAC-4423-3, IET -18727, IC-516 149, IET-18716, AC-35678, FL 478, AC 85, Rahaspunjar, AUS 100, NICRA 17, CR-3439-4-E-17-2-1-B-1-S-1. Under salinity stress the score 3 was recorded in FL 478, and 5 in Rahaspunjar, IET -18727, NICRA 16, Ravana, NICRA 17. For both combined stresses, FL 478, Rahaspunjar, NICRA 16 and NICRA 17 were identified as tolerant and can be identified as donors for development of rice varieties having climate resilience.

Molecular Confirmation for Gall Midge (Biotype 3) Resistance in Phenotypically Resistant Rice Genotypes Using Functional Markers

This study performed molecular screening of rice genotypes, which showed no gall infestation in field conditions at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Jagtial, during rabi, 2021-22. using functional markers such as “gm3del3” for the gm3 gene, “LRR del” for the Gm4 gene, and “PRP” for the Gm8 gene, six genotypes were analyzed. WGL-1145 contained all three resistance genes (gm3, Gm4, and Gm8). Additionally, three genotypes namely WGL-1147, WGL-1127, and Kakai had the Gm4 and Gm8 genes, while RP-5332-54-11-8-2-13 had only Gm8 and IR72476-B-P-9-3-1-1 possessed only gm3. These findings contribute to developing new rice varieties with resistance to gall midge, which can improve crop yields and food security in affected regions. Some promising rice varieties may be used as donors in breeding programs aimed at creating pyramided lines with durable gall midge resistance.

A Novel Phenology-Based Index for Plastic-Mulched Farmland Extraction and Its Application in a Typical Agricultural Region of China Using Sentinel-2 Imagery and Google Earth Engine

Plastic-mulching technology has a crucial role to play in modern agriculture by optimizing crop growth environments and enhancing yields. Accurately detecting and mapping the distribution of plastic-mulched farmlands (PMFs) is essential for improving both agricultural management and production efficiency. By analyzing the temporal spectral characteristics of PMFs and crop phenological information, we developed a phenology-based plastic-mulched farmland index (PPMFI). This index, when combined with Sentinel-2 imagery and an automated high-precision extraction process via the Google Earth Engine platform, effectively distinguishes PMFs from other land cover types, especially in complex agricultural landscapes. Validation across areas varying in their background complexity and PMF coverage demonstrated that the proposed PPMFI consistently achieves an overall accuracy rate that exceeds 90%, showcasing its robust performance and significantly outperforming other comparative extraction methods. Applying the PPMFI to the Yudong agricultural region of Henan Province, China, further confirmed its capability for large-scale PMF monitoring, thereby offering critical technical support for sustainable agricultural management and environmental protection.

Straw return can increase maize yield by regulating soil bacteria and improving soil properties in arid and semi-arid areas

Straw return has been found to benefit soil fertility and crop yield, however, by which it affects microbial communities to mediate soil factors driving crop yields under maize continuous cropping systems in dryland areas is still unclear. To fill this gap, a 6-year field experiment was established with five straw return amounts (T0, T1, T2, T3, and T4, representing 0, 3,000, 6,000, 9,000, and 12,000kgha-1 of straw, respectively), and investigated the effects of on soil properties, enzymes, bacterial community composition and diversity, and crop yields. Our analysis showed that soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) contents significantly increased by 1-8%, 5-25%, and 2-9% under straw return treatments, respectively, compared to the T0, and soil catalase, urease, and alkaline phosphatase activities increased by at least 34.00%. Additionally, crop yield significantly increased by 4.23-12.00% under T1-T4 treatments, and showed highly significant relationships with SOC, TN, and TP. Importantly, we found straw return significantly altered the community of bacteria involved in the carbon and nitrogen cycle, and their abundance of strong responses depending on the amounts of straw return. For example, straw input increased the abundance of Proteobacteria (+2.64–5.57%), Acidobacteria (+3.82–13.83%), and Bacteroidetes (+15.37–30.49%). Similarly, the amount of straw application increased the bacterial diversity indexes (Shannon, 2.65–10.93%; Chao1, 13.47–18.50%), and had significant positive correlations with SOC, TN, and TP contents. Structural equation models (SEM) revealed that straw return management practice had positive and indirect effects on crop yields by influencing soil properties or the bacteria community. In conclusion, our findings revealed common associations and variations of bacterial community diversity with soil factors and crop yields at different straw return rates, and these findings provide insights and options for the development of better straw return strategies and sustainable agriculture in semi-arid regions.

Shifting agricultural land use and their unintended water consumption in the North China Plain

Agricultural land use (ALU) critically influences food production and water resource allocation. This study examines the dynamics of ALU in the North China Plain (NCP), an area marked by intensive agriculture and severe groundwater over-exploitation, with a focus on the multidimensional drivers and their implications for water management. By employing an elaborate classification scheme based on satellite imagery and extensive first-hand field data, we identified significant shifts in crop patterns. From 2013 to 2017, there was a notable transition from double crops (primarily wheat-maize) to single crops (primarily maize), covering 4600 km2 and accounting for 42% of single crops in 2013. From 2017 to 2022, there was a shift from single crops to economic forests, encompassing 3600 km2 and 22% of economic forests in 2017, including orchards, timber trees, and shelter forest belts. These shifts resulted in an 11% decrease in grain acreage (6800 km2) and an 11% increase in crop water consumption (6.3 km3) during 2013–2022. Notably, water consumption by economic forests increased by 126% (9.4 km3) during this period. This study highlights the critical need to balance competing demands for food and water security, providing valuable insights for similar agricultural regions worldwide.