Overview

Over the past two decades a quiet revolution has been taking place in the countryside of China where hundreds of millions of people have been lifted out of poverty. This book focuses on some of the practical actions and clever use of appropriate technologies which have been at the heart of this positive grassroots-driven change in rural Gansu Province. Key to this has been mobilizing the population and their expeditious use of rainwater harvesting both to dramatically improve crop yields and provide households with reliable domestic water supplies. Challenges such as lack of fuelwood have been overcome by the development of simple low-cost solar cookers; the construction of low-cost greenhouses allows for the collection of rainwater and its use in efficient drip irrigation systems. The real significance of this case study is that most of the approaches described are based on universal principles of sustainable development.This book is recommended reading for engineers, planners, staff of NGOs, academics and students in the water, energy, and agriculture sectors.

Full Product Details

9781853397370

Table of Contents

Reviews

Now, not only those who have seen with their own eyes but also readers of this book will turn into believers of the huge, yet untapped potential of rainwater harvesting. --Hans Hurting, expert in rainwater harvesting This book is a major source of tested techniques in the fields of water supply and agriculture for semi-arid lands, solar energy and erosion control. I happily commend it. --Dr. Terry Thomas, Head Development Technology Unit Every Last Drop shows that great strides can be made against the severe challenges of water shortage and soil conservation without large expenditures by using the best of traditional technologies combined with modern science and innovation. --David Bainbridge, Agroecologist, California

This book is a major source of tested techniques in the fields of water supply and agriculture for semi-arid lands, solar energy and erosion control. I happily commend it. --Dr. Terry Thomas, Head Development Technology Unit Now, not only those who have seen with their own eyes but also readers of this book will turn into believers of the huge, yet untapped potential of rainwater harvesting. --Hans Hurting, expert in rainwater harvesting Every Last Drop shows that great strides can be made against the severe challenges of water shortage and soil conservation without large expenditures by using the best of traditional technologies combined with modern science and innovation. --David Bainbridge, Agroecologist, California

Author Information

Zhu Qiang is Former Director and Chief Engineer and Research Professor of the Gansu Research Institute for Water Conservancy China. Mr Li Yuanhong is the current Director of the Gansu Research Institute for Water Conservancy, GRIWAC; he also coordinates the International Training Course on Rainwater Harvesting and Utilization which has been run in Gansu Province since 2003. John Gould is an expert in rainwater harvesting and author of Rainwater Catchment Systems for Domestic Supply.

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