Inner Mongolia named national comprehensive utilization pilot region for saline-alkali land

North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region has recently been designated within the national pilot scope for the comprehensive utilization of saline-alkali land and is set to receive national support in terms of finance, technology, and mechanisms, according to the region's department of agriculture and animal husbandry.

Inner Mongolia has a total of 172 million mu (114,666.67 hectares) of farmland, over 9 percent of which is covered by saline-alkali soil.

The region is planning to promote nine techniques for the comprehensive utilization of saline-alkali land in three major irrigation areas, namely Hetao, Tumochuan, and Xiliao River, as part of the integrated development strategy for establishing national important agricultural and animal product production bases.

Inner Mongolia is currently implementing support measures in finance, technology, water resources, and mechanisms.

It plans to improve the corresponding project database and gradually include all of the region's 15.85 million mu of saline-alkali cultivated land in the reserve based on region and type.

Along with the development of high-standard farmland, it plans to implement a pilot project for the comprehensive utilization of 600,000 mu of saline-alkali land in the Hetao irrigation area and demonstration projects for the comprehensive utilization of 100,000 mu saline-alkali land in 10 banners and counties.