Abstract: The application of sprinkling irrigation to cash crop in hilly areas is beneficial to the steady development of water-saving agriculture in China and agricultural restructuring in undeveloped regions. In order to solve the problem of agricultural water resource shortage in China, the authors analyzed the development of sprinkling irrigation technology and equipment at home and abroad, elaborated the research process of sprinkling irrigation in hilly areas in China, emphasized the key points in sprinkling irrigation design and proposed development directions for the technology. In conclusion, sprinkling irrigation in hilly areas has a broad application prospect, a sprinkling irrigation system combining power equipment, pressure flow regulating pipe, low pressure nozzle, fertilization device and intelligent control equipment is suitable in hilly areas.