Turpan in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is expanding micro-sprinkler irrigation across its vineyards, improving water efficiency in one of the country’s driest grape-growing regions.

Since 2023, the city has replaced traditional flood irrigation with underground pipeline and micro-sprinkler systems that deliver water directly to grape roots, reducing evaporation and conserving resources.

The project now covers more than 550,000 mu (36,667 hectares) of vineyards, with each mu saving over 200 cubic meters of water annually while lowering water and electricity costs by more than 50 yuan.

Local growers, initially skeptical of the new method, have embraced the technology after demonstrations showed it maintains soil moisture and grape yields while using significantly less water.

Source: People’s Daily