How to shore up the weak links in farmland water conservancy? Accelerating institutional and mechanism innovation is key

The National On-site Meeting on Farmland Water Conservancy Reform was held in Qujing, Yunnan, from January 4 to 5. Vice Premier Wang Yang attended the meeting and delivered a speech. He stressed the need to earnestly implement the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, the Central Economic Work Conference, and the Central Rural Work Conference, and, in accordance with the new development concepts of innovation, coordination, green, openness, and sharing, accelerate the streamlining of systems and the improvement of mechanisms, push farmland water conservancy construction onto a track of scientific development and sound operation, and provide strong support for advancing agricultural modernization.

Wang Yang pointed out that farmland water conservancy is a prominent weak link in agricultural development. To shore up this weak link, we must rely on deepening reform, stimulate the vitality of market entities, and mobilize farmers and social forces to participate in farmland water conservancy construction. We must accelerate the improvement of the agricultural water pricing formation mechanism, and through measures such as quota management, progressive price increases, negotiated pricing, and targeted subsidies, both avoid increasing farmers' burdens and promote agricultural water conservation, creating a market environment conducive to farmland water conservancy development. We must innovate the investment and financing system, give play to the role of fiscal funds in “achieving much with little,” and use methods such as public-run projects with government assistance, subsidy after construction, tax incentives, and government cooperation with social capital to attract social funds into farmland water conservancy construction. We must deepen the reform of the water rights system, clarify ownership, liberalize operating rights, and safeguard income rights, so as to promote the sound operation and effective management and protection of farmland water conservancy facilities. We must respect the pioneering spirit of the people, encourage grassroots bold exploration, do a good job in pilot demonstrations, promptly promote good experiences and practices from various localities, and enhance the driving force and influence of reform. National water conservancy construction funds and relevant support policies should be tilted toward regions with rapid reform progress and good results.