China is experiencing severe land crisis owing to rapid urbanization, industrialization and high rate of population growth that characterized China in the earlier decades. Moreover, the diverse geographic feature that adorns China include snow-capped mountains, deep river valleys, high plateaus, and deserts that are uninhabitable. Therefore, China with its economic and technological advancements has devised innovation ways to address the mounting land crisis. In fact, the skilled economy enables this country to turn adversary to an opportunity, and with the growing land crisis, it has come up with futurist solutions that allow it to do exactly the same.
Vertical Farming
According to an estimate, every year this country loses around 1.3 million hectares of arable land due to urbanization and industrialization. Moreover, owing to China’s diverse landscape feature which houses both fertile river plains like Huang He Valley, Pearl River Delta and Gobi desert, Taklamakan Desert, only 11.6% of China’s land area was arable in 2021, according to a report by the World Bank. This has shrunk over the years as evident from the data provided.
Therefore, this country has adopted vertical farming as a viable solution. Vertical farming or vertical cultivation refers to cultivation method where crops are grown in stacked layers instead of on the ground. This futuristic method of cultivation makes use of controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) techniques where heat, temperature and moisture are all controlled artificially.
Different type of vertical farming include soilless farming methods. Hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics are popular soilless farming techniques. Vertical farming is gaining ground in recent times owing to its potential to address food insecurity by maximizing land for food production in urban areas. Aquaponics refer to a form of agriculture that combines pisciculture with soilless plant cultivation. Through this technique, the nutrient-rich water from fish farming supplies a natural fertilizer for the plants and the plants in turn help to purify the water for the fish. Thus, a mutualism is at work in aquaponics which benefits the farmers economically as well.
Hydroponic farms use coconut fibers or perlite as growth mediums along with recirculated, nutrient-rich water instead of soil to grow food, herbs, flowers. In addition to these, aeroponics is another method of growing plants in a mist or moisty air environment without relying on soil. This farming techniques help in minimizing waste of water and makes possible cultivation in a constricted space in urban environment.
The potential of vertical farming: 95% less water usage, higher yields, fresher food and smaller carbon footprint https://t.co/69q9eSS6Z0 pic.twitter.com/L1E7m5eb9U
— Vala Afshar (@ValaAfshar) August 18, 2022Technological Innovation
This country has achieved unprecedented progress in the use of biotechnology and made possible things which earlier was considered an impossibility. Relying on technological innovation, this country now practices precision agriculture that enable it to optimize resource use and increase crop yields. Leveraging on AI monitored drones and sensors, it can better control agricultural outcome. Similarly through employment of sophisticated technology like 3D Printing Food, it has reduced land and resource requirement. Moreover, lab-grown meat has enabled it to minimize land requirement for livestock farming.
Land Reclamation and Restoration
As China has seas like South China Sea, Yellow Sea on its East, coastal reclamation remains a viable solution for it to expand its land area. Recovering land from the sea through dredging and landfilling has been employed by China time and again. Moreover, this country has artificially created island on South China Sea. Besides, it has also utilized traditional land restoration techniques like afforestation, soil conservation to restore degraded land. Sophisticated irrigation tactics also helped it to restore desert land to a major extent.
Smart Cities and Urban Planning
As China is reeling under severe land crisis, it hardly has place to expand horizontally. Therefore, vertical urbanisation is the solution in most cases and China is hell-bent on utilising it. Planning remains crucial to China’s efficient land use policy and its smart cities include Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Chongqing among others. Through the incorporation of Smart Grids and smart traffic monitoring, these planned cities are exemplary manifestation of optimum land use. Incorporating green spaces in urban towns and urban forest through Miyawaki method has helped it to improve air quality and restore degraded land. Digital Land Management using AI and big data help it to carefully monitor land use pattern and thereby detect illegal activities.
Ocean Farming and Aquaculture
Ocean farming is emerging as a popular option owing to the awareness about the potential of blue economy. Therefore, this country is harnessing ocean water for offshore farming. Offshore farming refers to designing of floating as well as submerged farms in coastal and offshore areas which enable food production. Heavy investment in aquaculture in form of subsidies, and research funding has made China one of the global leader in aquaculture. China boasts of producing nearly 70% of the world’s total aquaculture output. This sector also proves crucial in providing meaningful employment to millions of Chinese.
FAQ
1. What is the primary cause of China’s land crisis?
China’s land crisis is primarily driven by rapid urbanization, industrialization, and a significant population increase over the past few decades. This has led to a decrease in arable land and increased pressure on existing resources. Additionally, China’s diverse geography, with large areas of uninhabitable land, further exacerbates the issue.
2. How does vertical farming help alleviate China’s land crisis?
Vertical farming is a revolutionary agricultural method that involves growing crops in stacked layers, maximizing land use in urban areas. By utilizing controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) techniques and soilless farming methods like hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics, vertical farming can significantly increase food production while minimizing land and water usage.
3. What role does technology play in addressing China’s land crisis?
Technology plays a crucial role in China’s efforts to combat its land crisis. Precision agriculture, enabled by AI-monitored drones and sensors, optimizes resource use and boosts crop yields. Additionally, innovative technologies like 3D food printing and lab-grown meat reduce land and resource requirements for food production.
4. How is land reclamation and restoration contributing to solving China’s land crisis?
Land reclamation, particularly coastal reclamation, allows China to expand its land area by reclaiming land from the sea. Additionally, land restoration techniques like afforestation, soil conservation, and sophisticated irrigation methods help restore degraded land.
5. What is the significance of smart cities and urban planning in addressing China’s land crisis?
Smart cities and urban planning are essential for efficient land use in China. By incorporating smart technologies like smart grids and traffic monitoring systems, these cities optimize resource allocation and minimize land wastage. Moreover, green spaces and urban forests help improve air quality and restore degraded land.
6. How does ocean farming and aquaculture contribute to China’s food security and land use?
Ocean farming and aquaculture offer sustainable solutions to China’s land crisis by utilizing vast ocean areas for food production. By investing in offshore farming and aquaculture, China has increased its food production while reducing pressure on land resources. This sector also provides significant employment opportunities for the Chinese population.
