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Why is irrigation important for farming in Inner Mongolia?

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Wide autumn valley with golden grass in the foreground and low, tree-covered mountains of the Greater Khingan Range in the distance under a clear sky. — Inner Mongolia Da Hinggan (Greater Khingan) Range, southeast of Hailar, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.

Irrigation is essential for farming in Inner Mongolia because the region’s harsh climate and arid conditions severely restrict intensive agriculture. Much of the region is an inland plateau characterized by low summer rainfall, strong evaporation, and constant winds, which make water management a necessity for crop cultivation.12

The Huang He (Yellow River) plays a critical role in this process, as it flows through south-central Inner Mongolia and provides the necessary water to irrigate the surrounding areas. In these irrigated zones, farmers are able to cultivate crops such as sugar beets and various oil-bearing plants, including sunflowers, rape, and linseed.21

To improve agricultural output in the face of these environmental challenges, the region has implemented various water conservation and irrigation programs, including the use of plastic-film mulching in drier areas. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to overcome the limitations of the local climate and support the cultivation of grains and other important crops.1