Abstract: In order to solve the problems of imperfect agricultural infrastructure construction and low agricultural production efficiency in Northeast China, this study calculated the total water footprint of major crops in Northeast China from 2009 to 2018 based on the water footprint theory, and applied logarithmic mean exponential decomposition method. The driving factors affecting the total water footprint were decomposed into yield factor, planting scale factor, virtual water content factor and crop structure factor, and the contribution of driving factors was analyzed from the perspective of time and space pattern. The results showed that the total water footprint of agricultural production showed an upward trend. From the perspective of time, crop yield and acreage played a dominant role, while the contribution of crop structure was relatively small. The effect of virtual water gradually changed from inhibition to facilitation. In terms of spatial pattern, the total water footprint of Northeast China has an increasing trend from south to north. In the early stage, the main increase of the total water footprint of each province was contributed by yield and area factors, while in the later stage, the change of planting structure and the different demands of crop natural factors led to the virtual water factor exacerbating the difference of the water footprint of each province. This study puts forward some suggestions from the aspects of optimizing spatial layout and crop structure, improving crop production efficiency and utilization rate of irrigation water resources, and promoting the development of green agriculture.

Key words: Northeast China, agricultural production, water footprint, LMDI