To investigate whether the construction of high-standard farmland can reduce the water footprint of crop production and its underlying mechanism, this study used panel data and crop production water footprint calculation data from 31 provinces (Statistical data do not include those from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions. The same below) in China from 2003 to 2017. Continuous difference-in-differences model, event study method, and mechanism testing were employed to investigate the effects of high-standard farmland construction on the crop production water footprint and its underlying mechanism. The results show that: 1) From 2003 to 2019, China’s water footprint of crop prodaction generally showed overall fluctuating upward trend, with the central and western regions being the main affected areas; 2) High-standard farmland construction significantly reduced crop production water footprint, supported by parallel trend tests, placebo tests, lagged control variables by one period, controlling for contemporaneous policy interference, changing core variables, and re-testing with new statistical calibers; 3) High-standard farmland construction mainly reduces crop production water footprint through increasing the relative planting ratio of low-water-consuming crops, promoting the application of water-saving irrigation technologies, enhancing the supply of organized services, and promoting farmland transfer; 4) Long-term effect tests indicate that the impact has a certain degree of persistence, but weakens over time. In conclusion, the construction of high-standard farmland can promote the economical and intensive use of agricultural water resources through engineering support, structural optimization, and improved management organization. Going forward, efforts should be made to strengthen construction quality and long-term maintenance, and collaboratively promote the stable operation of water-saving irrigation, the adjustment of water-suitable planting structures, and the supply of organizational service.
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