Objective:
Establish the Sino-US Centers for Water Use for Arid Agriculture, co-located at the Northwest A & F University in Yangling, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China and the Water Management Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), USDA, located at the Natural Resources Research Center in Fort Collins, Colorado, United States. To conduct research, develop scientific tools and technology, analyze policies and management practices and introduce improved methods for improvement of rainfall and irrigation water use efficiency in arid and semi-arid farmland integrated with other human pursuits that socially and economically maintain livelihoods and protect the environment through information exchange, education and proactive extension services.

Approach:
The Parties will each maintain a “virtual” center which jointly will comprise the “virtual” Centers for Water Use for Arid Agriculture (hereinafter the “Joint Centers”). The Joint Centers will principally coordinate activities of participating agencies and universities throughout the respective countries. Each Party is hereby designated to represent its Center, to carry out activities such as liaising with appropriate agencies, representing that Party’s position regarding projects for the Joint Centers, and serving as lead agency for each Center. Each Party will have a Director head its Center.