Water, Food & Climate: Lessons from Sino-German Cooperation

China’s agricultural production relies heavily on irrigation, but uneven rainfall patterns and climate change are intensifying water scarcity—threatening food security and heightening competition over limited water resources. This panel brings together experts from Germany and China to explore how efficient irrigation systems and improved water management can strengthen water security and climate resilience in agriculture.

Drawing on experiences from Sino-German cooperation as well as state-of-the-art scientific research—from climate impact modelling to water-saving irrigation technologies and water reuse—the session highlights practical solutions relevant not only for China’s arid northern regions, but also for farming areas in Germany increasingly affected by water stress.

Agenda

Welcome & Introduction

Dr. Michaela Boehme, Sino-German Agricultural Centre (DCZ)

Short Input Statements

Context & Trends | Water and Agriculture Under Climate Change
Dr. Zhanli Sun, IAMO

Climate Scenarios | Joint German-Chinese Climate Change Analysis
Dr. Frank Wechsung, PIK

Water Efficiency | Crop Water Demand and Efficient Water Utilization in Northern China
Dr. Zhandong Liu, CAAS

Water Reuse | Requirements for the Use of Treated Wastewater in Agricultural Irrigation
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Martin Wagner, TU Darmstadt / German Water Partnership

Moderated Panel Discussion with Q&A

Speakers:

• Dr. Zhandong Liu, CAAS
• Dr. Zhanli Sun, IAMO
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Martin Wagner, TU Darmstadt / GWP
• Dr. Frank Wechsung, PIK

Moderator: Dr. Michaela Boehme, DCZ