Virtual water, a new strategy of agricultural security for China

Water resources for agriculture and food security is a very important global issue due to water scarcity. The concept of virtual water is the key to analysing and solving this problem. The virtual water concept is described, and the progress of an international study using it is briefly reviewed. China's agricultural water scarcity and food security are analysed. Based on the grain import prediction and agricultural production conditions of China, the virtual water equivalents in 2010 and 2020 were evaluated; the results are 88 × 109m3 year-1 in 2010, and 95 × 10 9 m3 year-1 in 2020. Given the relationship of virtual water to agricultural water stress, the virtual water strategy is predicted to relieve agricultural production pressure due to scarce water resources, and so to meet growing food demand and promote water resource sustainability in China.