The Characteristics and Some Measures for Efficient Utilization of Natural Resources in the Cold and Semi-arid Region in Hebei Province, China

The plateau region is located in the farming pastoral ecotone in northwest Hebei Province, its total land area is 17,700km 2,and the population is 1.107 million. The region is characterized by the poor climatical conditions, drought, shortage of water resources, barren soil, frequent occurrence of natural disasters, monoculture, low and unstable yield of crops, vulnerable ecological environment, etc. This paper analyzes the superior and inferior natural resources in this region based on the prerequisite of the sustainable development of ecology and agriculture. It is suggested to farm on the basis of modern science and technology, further adjust the agricultural structure, and fully utilize and exploit the superior natural resources in the region. Only by changing the traditional agricultural structure and promoting a diversified economy can a sustainable agricultural development be achieved so as to control the land desertification and improve the ecology.