Farming the Unfarmable

Crop circles located in the midst of the Saudi Arabian desert are discernible even from outer space. Additionally, wind turbines have been implemented to induce precipitation in regions where it is scarcely observed. These innovations have the potential to significantly mitigate the expansion of deserts, which pose a grave threat to the sustenance of over a billion individuals. The human-induced conversion of arid lands into barren wastelands has rendered them inhospitable to life. The prospect of rejuvenating and rehabilitating these areas is undoubtedly feasible and viable.

Scientists are currently exploring innovative methods to promote vegetation growth in desert regions. However, the question remains as to whether these efforts will be sufficient to prevent the encroachment of sand on a global scale. The Gobi, a vast desert spanning Mongolia and China, is currently the fastest-growing desert in the world. It consumes approximately 6,000 square kilometers of grassland annually, resulting in the destruction of villages and the transformation of once habitable landscapes into barren wastelands. As a result, tens of thousands of individuals have been forced to relocate as environmental migrants, leaving only a small population of a few thousand individuals. The expansion of the Gobi and other deserts is attributed in part to changing climate patterns that impact rainfall, but human-induced global warming is also exacerbating this process.

Located approximately 3000 kilometers away from the Gobi, the Aral Sea in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan is experiencing a significant reduction in water levels. This phenomenon is primarily attributed to industrial farming practices, as well as extreme droughts, deforestation, and overgrazing, which have led to the degradation of once-fertile soils. This human-induced process is commonly referred to as desertification and is occurring on a global scale. By the middle of this century, it is projected that 25% of the world's soils will be affected. Dr. Barron Joseph Orr, the Lead Scientist for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, emphasizes the importance of establishing a solid foundation for people's livelihoods, as everything else becomes precarious without it. His role involves finding solutions to assist the half a billion individuals whose livelihoods have already been severely impacted by desertification, as well as the other half a billion who are at risk. The majority of these individuals reside in South East Asia, the Middle East, the Sahara region, and North Africa. Despite the severity of the situation, there is hope for a positive outcome.

Do you recall the crop circles that mentioned in the begining? Despite their seemingly diminutive size, each one represents a circular field spanning 1km in diameter, situated in the heart of the desert. These circles serve as a symbol of Saudi Arabia's agricultural expansion since the 1970s, where vast areas are now covered with wheat and other crops. However, this agricultural practice is incredibly water-intensive, with farmers tapping into water sources that date back to the last Ice Age, located one kilometer underground. Nevertheless, there is a significant drawback to this approach. The crops that are cultivated are highly productive in agriculture but also require a substantial amount of water, rendering the sustainability of the system very low. Monocultural farming further exacerbates the issue, depleting the soil's nutrients and preventing it from retaining water in the long term. This is particularly concerning as the region only receives a few centimeters of average rainfall per year, which is insufficient to replenish the aquifers. Experts predict that the pumps will need to be turned off in approximately 50 years, after which the desert sands will reclaim the artificial oases.

However, there exist more sustainable methods of utilizing water in arid regions. On the western coast of Saudi Arabia, an initiative known as the Al Baydha project has been implemented to regenerate the land through the use of flash floods. In 2021, videos circulated on social media depicting the rainfall in Saudi Arabia, but unfortunately, most of the valuable freshwater in the area is lost through runoff or evaporation. By capturing flash floods and directing the water into the ground, a sustainable source of water can be established, even if it occurs only every 18 or 20 months. This concept was developed by Neal Spackman, a specialist in regenerative agriculture and former director of the Al Baydha project. In collaboration with the local community, Spackman and other agricultural experts have constructed dams, terraces, and kilometers of ditches.

The concept is to divert the floodwaters to the desired location and retain them, allowing for reabsorption. These techniques were utilized by civilizations such as the Incas centuries ago. The initial step involves utilizing human-scale earthworks to decelerate the water flow, which enables the establishment of biological systems. Subsequently, the water flow is slowed down ecologically. Initially, artificial irrigation was necessary to stimulate plant growth and initiate the ecological cycle. However, by harnessing flash floods, a significantly greater amount of water could be introduced into the ground than extracted. Native trees, shrubs, and grasses were able to survive a 30-month drought without additional irrigation, and the return of birds and small mammals was observed. It was a remarkable sight to witness the resurgence of life in this area.

The aforementioned project has been operational since the year 2010. Its success has been demonstrated in the restoration of water tables in the desert. The subsequent objective is to enhance agricultural productivity, thereby enabling the local populace to attain self-sufficiency. It is worth noting that even the Sahara was once verdant for a limited period, owing to the monsoon rains that rendered the desert habitable several millennia ago. Currently, the Sahara region is characterized by a terrain of rocks and sand, with certain areas experiencing an expansion rate of nearly 48 kilometers annually. The activities of human beings in the adjacent arid lands have rendered it the most endangered location globally with regards to desertification. This phenomenon has exacerbated land disputes in a region that is already grappling with poverty. However, the establishment of solar and wind farms presents a viable solution to this predicament, not only by generating energy but also by inducing precipitation.

A climate model has been developed by scientists which demonstrates that if one-fifth of the entire Sahara were to be covered with solar farms and wind farms, there would be a 5cm increase in rainfall in the Sahel region. Although this may appear to be a small amount, it would result in an almost 20 percent increase in vegetation cover. The mechanism behind this phenomenon is that the black surface of the solar panels heats up the air, causing it to rise to higher altitudes. Similarly, the rotation of the wind turbines has a comparable effect. As the air rises, it carries moisture with it. When it reaches higher altitudes, the upward motion cools due to the lower pressure and cooler temperatures. This cooling causes the moisture to condense, resulting in rainfall. Dr. Safa Mote, a physicist researching methods to prevent environmental, economic, and social catastrophes, conducted this research. The model has the potential to significantly enhance plant growth on a large scale, spanning from East to West Africa across the Sahel region. It is believed that this will greatly improve rain-fed agriculture and food production in the area. Additionally, the increased vegetation will lead to improvements in the local ecosystems.

It is a mutually beneficial scenario for the environment, economy, and society. The proposed energy park is of a colossal scale, capable of generating over four times the current global energy consumption annually. The scientific community posits that it could be utilized to facilitate clean development in various sectors across Africa, ranging from infrastructure to seawater desalination. However, the project's feasibility is impeded by the logistical and political challenges associated with energy transportation, as well as the estimated cost of approximately 20 trillion Dollars. Additionally, alternative, more cost-effective methods of desert reclamation exist.

The project that was initially initiated to safeguard the transportation routes of a local salt mine in the Kubuqi desert has now transformed into a colossal reforestation operation. The city, which was once besieged by desert, has now become a paradise. In the late 20th century, the desert lands were expanding by 10,000 square kilometers annually. However, presently, the expansion has reduced to 2,000 square kilometers per year. It is noteworthy that the Kubuqi project is not merely a government propaganda but is regarded as one of the most successful restoration projects worldwide. The success of the project can be attributed to the systematic and collaborative approach adopted by the authorities. Since 1988, new seeding methods have played a pivotal role in reforesting thousands of square kilometers. The special water jets create a hole in the sand and simultaneously water the cutting, thereby reducing the planting time from ten minutes per tree or seedling to ten seconds. This change is indeed a powerful and significant one.

In the Kubuqi desert, farmers have implemented a practice of encircling young plants on the dunes with straw bales to shield them from the wind, thereby increasing their chances of growth. This has resulted in the transformation of vast desertified areas into verdant landscapes, which are now being utilized for cattle grazing and crop farming. Additionally, the region has become a hub for the cultivation of liquorice and other herbs that thrive in this climate, which are in high demand in traditional Chinese medicine. Remarkably, the region's water consumption remains within the limits of its annual rainfall. The farmers have taken into account various factors such as market demand, start-up costs, and social practices in the grazing areas, not just in one location but throughout the entire region. As a result, a diverse range of animals, including gazelles, hedgehogs, sparrows, and wild geese, have returned to the area.

The greening of Kubuqi has proven to be beneficial to Beijing, located 800 km away, as it has significantly reduced air pollution caused by sandstorms. This restoration of the desert demonstrates the possibility of reversing desertification through natural or high-tech methods, which can restore soils, water cycles, and vegetation, ultimately safeguarding the livelihoods of millions of people. However, it is evident that the cost and efforts involved in this process make it impossible to transform all of the world's desertified land into fertile soil. As the foundation of all life on the planet, it is imperative that we find ways to value these resources beyond the concept of conservation or mere appreciation of nature. It is not a luxury to have nature, but a necessity.

In order to halt the process of desertification and the expansion of deserts, it is widely acknowledged among the scientific community that measures must be taken to address global warming, soil overexploitation, and deforestation in areas where soils are at risk of degradation. By doing so, the health of the planet's land mass can be preserved, ensuring the sustainability of both humankind and the environment. It is important to note that while deserts are fascinating and unique ecosystems that warrant protection, issues arise when fertile soils become barren and sandy. Interestingly, the Sahara is home to the largest known underground water source. With this in mind, what are your thoughts on the concept of greening deserts?