Ecological agriculture connotation and pathway of high-quality agricultural development system in Northwest arid region

Agricultural production can depend mainly on various natural conditions in the arid areas of northwest China. The ecological environment is ever deteriorating in recent years, including the arid climate, water scarcity, soil salinization, and low land quality. Furthermore, the conflict between ecological and agricultural water use has caused inadequate water supply in the irrigation areas, insufficient irrigation and drainage facilities, as well as low efficiency in water and fertilizer utilization. It is still lacking in the coordination between agricultural production and the ecological environment. In this study, the development path of modern agriculture was explored to balance the environmental constraints and efficiently use resources. The history and trends of agriculture were first identified to determine the agricultural challenges in the arid northwest region. A framework of ecological agriculture was proposed to improve the quality and efficiency of agricultural production. The green circular chain of production, supply, and sales was established in the ecological agriculture system, in order to continuously enhance the ecological functions using modern scientific, technological, and ecological engineering. Ecological agriculture was characterized by resource intensification, ecological production, industrialization of agricultural management, intelligent agriculture, and diversified agricultural functions. A multi-format structure of ecological agriculture was proposed for the arid northwest region, including high-quality cotton, fruits, grains, and forage, ecological breeding, characteristic towns, and geographical products. A technical system was also presented to improve the quality and efficiency of ecological agriculture. Six featuring modes included the water-saving and salt-control synergistic, habitat intelligent control, "park machinery" integrated, circular economy, urban-rural coordinated, and three-industry integrated mode. Some suggestions were proposed for the high-quality development paths, according to the unique characteristics of agriculture, forestry, and animal husbandry in the arid northwest regions. The critical strategies were then optimized to enhance the efficient water use and ecological functions for high-quality agricultural development in the arid regions. Specifically, the water utilization coefficient of the canal system increased from 0.65 to 0.70, while the water production efficiency was enhanced from 1.42 to 1.62 kg/m³. An adequate food supply was achieved in this case. Water efficiency was required for the water source engineering, irrigation and drainage systems, as well as on-farm water use. The water consumption ratio of 50% was maintained for both the economic and social systems. The natural ecosystem was then essential to enhance the ecological functions. Sandstorms were then prevented to improve the livable environment of the oasis. The ecological corridor network was also restored to strengthen the ecological protection structure of the desert oasis. Much emphasis was placed on the importance of efficient water use in agriculture, particularly for ecological functions. The concept of ecological agriculture was actively promoted to implement the significant achievements in various regions of the northwest. Practical examples included Meixian County's green fruit and forestry industry brand, Guanghe County and Qingtongxia City's high resource utilization rate for livestock and poultry manure, the 77th Division of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps' increased crop yields and soil organic matter through straw resource utilization, and Keerqin Banner's success in the large-scale production and grassland protection through ecological animal husbandry. Environmentally friendly and sustainable ecological agriculture can greatly contribute to the regional economic development.