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China revolutionizes agricultural innovation by growing rice in the desert, leaving Dubai experts impressed.
You won't believe what the China managed to do it! Imagine being lost in a barren desert, dying of thirst and hunger, and suddenly coming across a vast and beautiful rice field. It seems impossible, right? But China made this a reality by planting 8.200 hectares of rice in the desert, breaking all paradigms of innovation in agriculture.
Em 2018when China announced its plans to cultivate 8.200 hectares of rice in the desert, many thought it was an absurd idea. After all, rice is traditionally associated with environments with an abundance of water, and the desert is the opposite of that: dry, with temperatures that can reach 76°C, strong winds and sandstorms. How would it be possible to plant rice in such conditions?
Rice needs temperatures between 30°C and 32°C, fertile soil and plenty of water. In addition, seedlings have specific requirements for soil acidity and salinity. Growing rice in the desert seemed like a true miracle.
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The genius of Yuan Longping, the “Father of Hybrid Rice” in China
To face this monumental challenge, the China counted on the brilliance of Yuan Longping, a renowned agricultural scientist known as the “Father of Hybrid Rice”. Since the 1970s, Yuan has dedicated his life to developing more resilient and productive rice varieties.
He and his team worked on developing the “sea rice”, a variety capable of growing in saline and alkaline soils, common in desert regions. This rice is unique, resistant to salinity, alkalinity, diseases and pests, in addition to having high productivity.
Transforming the Kubuqi Desert into an Agricultural Oasis
After much research, Yuan Longping chose the Kubuqi Desert, in the autonomous region of Inner Mongolia, as a test base. This desert is known for its arid climate, little rainfall and large temperature variations between day and night.
Starting with just 80 hectares, the team used innovative techniques to transform the desert soil into fertile ground. They built canals to bring water from the Yellow River and applied ecological methods that save water and preserve soil nutrients. Gradually, they expanded the cultivation area to 300 hectares, then 1.000 hectares, until reaching an impressive 8.200 hectares.
Surprising the world and inspiring other countries
The results were spectacular. Rice production in the desert not only met local food needs but also caught the attention of countries such as Dubai, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. In 2017, Yuan Longping's team successfully conducted rice cultivation experiments in the desert of Dubai, facing challenges such as extreme temperatures and freshwater shortages.
To find the ideal variety for Dubai's climate, more than 80 types of rice were tested. After five months, some varieties produced a harvest of more than 500 kg per mu (Chinese unit of area). This left the Dubai scientific community deeply impressed.
The expansion of innovation in agriculture around the world
In addition to Dubai, the Saudi Arabia plans to collaborate with the China to plant 10 billion trees in their deserts, using desalination and irrigation technologies to convert arid areas into agricultural land. Egypt, with 95% of its territory desert, is also committed to transforming its landscapes, introducing water from the Nile River into previously barren areas.
Sustainable development and combating desertification
A China did not stop there. In recent years, it has applied photovoltaic control technologies to develop sectors such as the cultivation of medicinal plants, the transformation of dunes into pastures and even the aquaculture in the desert. In Gansu, an ambitious project sought to create fish farms in desert areas, despite initial challenges and investments of 720 million U.S. $.
Although they faced obstacles such as high temperatures and lack of experience, the China persisted. After consulting with foreign experts, they discovered that the rainbow trout, native to North America, was well suited to desert conditions. With perseverance, they transformed the desert into a thriving aquaculture base., benefiting local communities and contributing to food security.
Why is China investing so much in desert agriculture innovation?
With a population of 1,4 billion people and daily consumption of 700.000 tons of grain, China seeks to ensure food self-sufficiency. Overfishing and environmental pollution have reduced fish stocks, and desert aquaculture offers a sustainable alternative.
Transforming deserts into fertile land not only meets domestic needs, but also positions China as a world leader in agricultural innovation.
And you, do you believe that these innovations from China could be the key to combating hunger and desertification in the world? Leave your opinion in the comments!
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