The study looked at whether a water conservation policy in China reduced how much water farmers were using. They studied data from 2000 to 2019 in 31 provinces. The researchers found that the water policy didn't actually decrease water use by farmers. In fact, it led to more water being used in agriculture. The policy helped increase farming, especially by growing more crops and using more irrigation. The increase in irrigation was the main reason for the rise in water use. Provinces with higher agricultural potential had less increase in water use because of the policy. So, in some cases, water-saving technologies might help in areas where farming potential is high. Market-based policies, like changing how water rights work, could help control excessive water use in areas where too much water is being used.