ABSTRACT
Rainwater is a major water resource for dryland farming. Annual average precipitation in the Loess Plateau is about 9.2 times that of surface and ground water amounts. This paper analyzes rainwater resources and the theory and technology system of rainwater use management. The system includes: (1) increasing soil water amounts by enhancing infiltration capacity; (2) reducing soil evaporation by using different coverage materials; (3) making soil water use efficient through tillage and culture management; (4) raising water use efficiency of plants; and (5) harvesting rainwater to supply irrigation, which is called a “stereoscopic use” system. This paper also shows the potential for rainwater harvesting and its use to contribute to soil and water conservation and sustainable dryland farming.
