TY - CPA AU - Yan Changrong AU - He Wenqing AU - Mei Xurong AU - Dixon,J. AU - Liu Qin AU - Liu Shuang AU - Liu Enke ED - World Congress on Conservation Agriculture TI - Critical research for dryland conservation agriculture in the yellow river basin, China: recent results PY - 2009/// CY - New Delhi (India) PB - 4th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture KW - River basins KW - AGROVOC KW - Rainfed farming KW - Farming systems KW - Conservation agriculture KW - China KW - CIMMYT N2 - Yellow River Basin (YRB) is the cradle of Chinese civilization. Agriculture production plays a very important role in regional food security. Currently, soil erosion, poverty and water shortages are three major problems that affect the development of agriculture in YRB. Severe soil erosion is leading to loss of fertile topsoil and decreasing soil productivity. These processes are particularly evident in dry and sloping lands associated with rainfed agriculture. How to face and resolve these problems in agriculture? And what are the key techniques to improve rainwater use efficiency? According to the results in the drylands conservation agriculture research and practice, CA is the most promising approach for sustainable development in agriculture, such as harvesting of rainwater using residue mulches, which can increase crop production, and the reduction of soil tillage and construction of water harvesting and supplementary irrigation system. Not only does it generate immediate benefits in terms of increased farm productivity, it also offers social benefits of great relevance to YRB T2 - World Congress on Conservation Agriculture; 4: Innovations for improving efficiency, equity and environment ER -