Abstract: Combined with EBM model and GML index,the agricultural water total factor productivity in 9 provinces in the Yellow River Basin from 2008 to 2018 is measured and decomposed from the national perspective. The results show that the total factor productivity of agricultural water resources in the Yellow River Basin is lower than that in the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the national average level. The growth of total factor productivity of agricultural water resources in the Yellow River Basin is mainly driven by technological progress,and its growth is limited by low technical efficiency. Water resources endowment and education level of rural labor have a positive impact on agricultural water total factor productivity in the Yellow River Basin,while water facilities and agricultural planting structure have a negative impact. In order to enhance the total factor productivity of agricultural water resources,the Yellow River Basin shall popularize high-efficiency water-saving irrigation means and improve the management level of agricultural water resources;improve the trans-regional water transfer mechanism,construct water conservancy facilities rationally,enhance the education level of rural labor force and optimize the agricultural planting structure.