Project Scope and Relationship to China's Agenda 21

This project seeks to further the sustainable development of Maoji, a small town in Anhui Province mired in poverty and frequently devastated by floods and drought. This project was developed in accordance with chapter 10 of China's Agenda 21 - Development of Sustainable Human Settlement - and will contribute to the eradication of poverty, meeting of basic health care needs, sustainable agriculture and rural development, promoting the establishment of disaster prevention measures and mitigation systems (Chapters 8A, 9A, 11G and 17B).

1. Background

Maoji, a small town located near the convergence of the Huaihe and Xifeihe Rivers in Fengtai County, Anhui Province, has suffered repeatedly from a vicious cycle of flooding and drought. Nearly two-thirds of the town's total population of 32,900 live in the flood area of nearby Dongfeng Lake. The average annual income is only about US $50 per capita in the flood area. Local industry is undeveloped and available medical staff, facilities and technology are insufficient to meet the needs of the population. Although Fengtai county has some basic flood control facilities, insufficient funds have prevented the establishment of adequate disaster prevention, warning and mitigation systems.

In accordance with Agenda 21 and the International Decade of Natural Disaster Reduction, China has selected Maoji to serve as a model small town for work on sustainable development and disaster prevention and mitigation. This project seeks to support the development of sustainable agricultural practices and village industries; gradually move the population away from the flood plain into the town; establish a comprehensive disaster prevention, warning and mitigation system; and improve the delivery of medical and social services.

2. Objectives

• Long-term Objectives
  • Further the sustainable development of Maoji through the development of sustainable agricultural practices and village and town industries; reduce or prevent the devastating impacts of flood and drought; alleviate poverty and improve health and social services. Disseminate the results of this project to serve as a model for the sustainable development of other small towns located in flood areas.

• Immediate Objectives
  • Develop sustainable agricultural practices and industries to improve the livelihood of the residents and reduce the impact of floods and droughts
  • Establish sustainable village and town industries based on food storage and transportation and agricultural products processing
  • Organize a comprehensive disaster management and mitigation system
  • Take steps to prevent further flooding and drought disasters by gradually moving the residents away from the flood plain area into the town, strengthening the dikes, and increasing irrigation capacity
  • Establish a model project for improving health and social services

These activities will be implemented by the local governments, under the organization of the State Planning Commission and the State Science and Technology Commission.

• 3.1 Develop sustainable agricultural practices and industries to improve the livelihood of the residents and reduce the impact of floods and droughts.
  • Using fodder, build a middle-scale fodder processing factory, and produce a "green foods" facility
  • Develop special aquatic products and a model for three-dimensional cultivation of eel, crab and soft-shelled turtle
  • Develop high-production sustainable agricultural techniques that can produce stable yields despite drought or excessive rain. The duration of this activity will be 10 years.

• 3.2 Establish sustainable village and town industries based on food storage and transportation and farmland products processing.
  • Establish industries based on the storage and transportation of food
  • Establish a refined food processing base (mixed fodder, refined rice processing, comprehensive food), with agricultural and by-products as raw materials. Establish a production-storage-processing cycle. The duration of this activity will be 10 years.

• 3.3 Organize a comprehensive disaster management and mitigation system.
  • Establish an emergency management system for flood prevention and mitigation
  • Establish a flood warning system in Maoji
  • Establish a system of disaster mitigation including stockpiling of materials and protection of assets
  • Organize an administrative body which will be responsible for disaster mitigation. The duration of this activity will be 10 years.

• 3.4 Take steps to prevent further flooding and drought by gradually moving the residents away from the floodplain area into the town, strengthening the dikes, and increasing irrigation capacity.
  • Expand and improve the residential area of Maoji
  • Gradually move the residents away from the floodplain area and into the town
  • Strengthen the capacity of the dike for flood defense and ensure the safety of dikes and farmlands during floods
  • Increase the irrigation area by building an irrigation station of 1000 kw. The duration of this activity will be 10 years.

• 3.5 Establish a model project for improved health and social services.
  • Develop a comprehensive social system for residential safety and sanitation
  • Establish a central hospital for basic health care and endemic diseases. The duration of this activity will be 5 years.

• 4.1 Chinese Inputs
  • Project management
  • Transportation and business facilities for domestic experts and other staff
  • Other available facilities in China
  • Construction facilities

• 4.2 International cooperation
  • Technology transfer
  • Development of sustainable food production systems and facilities
  • Expert consultation and staff training
  • Flood prevention project
  • Model project on sustainable agriculture

This project will further sustainable development of Maoji, effectively diminish the effects of flooding, and strengthen its flood defense and mitigation capacity. It will serve as a model for sustainable agriculture and development for other small towns which are often devastated by flood and drought.