The change of water use efficiency over the years was calculated from the long-term data of crop yields,precipitation,the amount of irrigation water diverted from the Yellow River or pumped wells and replenishing water from ground water in Fengqiu county.Results showed that water use ef iciency in this county has enhanced steadily from 2.25 to more than 9.00 kg hm^-2mm^-1 due to technological development.The increase of water use efficiency was mainly caused by the establishment of water conservancy facilities,soil improvement,extension of new crop variet ies and continuously increasing application rates of N,P fertilizers.According to our studies,fertilizers had a great potential for the further increase of the efficiency of water use in Fengqiu county,especially for crops with growth period in autumn.With economic development,advanced technologies,such as plastic cover and trickle irrigation shall be steadily made popular.