High efficient utilization of rain water resource is very important for the economic development in arid and semiarid areas where surface water and ground water are shortage. Based on the investigation on irrigated farming by harvesting rain water in Shaanxi province, the present situation and problems about the construction operation and maintenance of cistern, and the quality and utilization of rainw ater are pointed out. Furthermore, some measures and ideas on how to solve the problems and how to promote the development of irrigated farming by converging rain water are putforward.