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Agriculture
Volume 15
Issue 23
10.3390/agriculture15232477
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

A Virtual Water-Based Framework for Alleviating Regional Food Shortage in China: Modeling and Optimal Allocation

by
Ziming Wang
1,2,
Zhaoqiang Zhou
1,3,*,
Tian Wang
4,*,
Renjie Hou
1,
Mo Li
1,
Qinglin Li
1 and
Ping Xue
1
1
School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
2
School of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China
3
International Cooperation Joint Laboratory of Health in Cold Region Black Soil Habitat of the Ministry of Education, Harbin 150030, China
4
School of Atmospheric Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510257, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Agriculture 2025, 15(23), 2477; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15232477 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 6 November 2025 / Revised: 25 November 2025 / Accepted: 27 November 2025 / Published: 28 November 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Economics, Policies and Rural Management)
Versions Notes

Abstract

The spatial mismatch between grain production and water resources in China poses significant challenges to food security. This study examines Heilongjiang Province, a major grain-producing region, to explore pathways for enhancing food security through virtual water redistribution. By calculating the virtual water content of typical exported crops and integrating micro- and macroeconomic models, we coupled socio-economic benefits to develop a multi-objective allocation framework centered on “comprehensive benefits”. This framework forms the basis of a grain allocation model grounded in virtual water trade. Our study identifies eight typical grain-deficient regions, including Beijing and Shanghai, and demonstrates that Heilongjiang Province can meet their demands through virtual water transfers. The results reveal significant differences in allocation structures across crops and regions, reflecting heterogeneity in regional demands and resource endowments. This research provides theoretical insights and strategic directions for alleviating food security issues under imbalanced resource distribution, though practical application of the model requires further consideration of regional constraints.
Keywords: virtual water trade; grain allocation; water footprint; economic theories; social benefits virtual water trade; grain allocation; water footprint; economic theories; social benefits

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MDPI and ACS Style

Wang, Z.; Zhou, Z.; Wang, T.; Hou, R.; Li, M.; Li, Q.; Xue, P. A Virtual Water-Based Framework for Alleviating Regional Food Shortage in China: Modeling and Optimal Allocation. Agriculture 2025, 15, 2477. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15232477

AMA Style

Wang Z, Zhou Z, Wang T, Hou R, Li M, Li Q, Xue P. A Virtual Water-Based Framework for Alleviating Regional Food Shortage in China: Modeling and Optimal Allocation. Agriculture. 2025; 15(23):2477. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15232477

Chicago/Turabian Style

Wang, Ziming, Zhaoqiang Zhou, Tian Wang, Renjie Hou, Mo Li, Qinglin Li, and Ping Xue. 2025. "A Virtual Water-Based Framework for Alleviating Regional Food Shortage in China: Modeling and Optimal Allocation" Agriculture 15, no. 23: 2477. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15232477

APA Style

Wang, Z., Zhou, Z., Wang, T., Hou, R., Li, M., Li, Q., & Xue, P. (2025). A Virtual Water-Based Framework for Alleviating Regional Food Shortage in China: Modeling and Optimal Allocation. Agriculture, 15(23), 2477. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15232477

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