Growing crops in desert conditions has always been a challenge for humanity, as the desert was considered barren. However, throughout history, there have been individuals who took on this challenge and achieved success. Thanks to the technological revolution and rapid advancements in technology, modern agriculture is no longer confined to fertile regions alone.
By Roman Yanushevsky
Jerusalem (INPS Japan) – If back in 5000 BC people managed to grow fruits and vegetables in the Negev Desert, it is not surprising that, with the opportunities modern technology offers humanity, deserts have been used for decades as locations for cultivating agricultural crops. Countries like Israel, the USA, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have proven that harsh climatic conditions, poor soils, and water scarcity are not barriers to successful crop cultivation.｜RUSSIAN｜JAPANESE｜
A critical element of successful plant cultivation in desert conditions—especially in the context of global warming—is the adoption of sustainable practices, including careful water management. These practices involve water recycling (wastewater treatment), desalination of saltwater, and drip irrigation.
In recent years, with the development of artificial intelligence, new opportunities have emerged, particularly for advancing and applying technologies in agriculture.
Israel
One of the pioneers in desert agriculture is Israel, a small Middle Eastern country with scarce natural resources. Driven by the necessity to establish an efficient agricultural system, Israel invented drip irrigation technology, now used worldwide.
It is said that necessity is the mother of invention. The region’s water scarcity led to a realization that water should be used with great efficiency. In practice, drip irrigation reduces water consumption by 80% while doubling crop yields.
Another important solution for conserving water resources has been the reuse of treated wastewater for agricultural purposes. Around 90% of wastewater in Israel is treated at specialized facilities and then reused for irrigation. As a result, approximately 40% of the water used in Israeli agriculture is treated wastewater, effectively given a second life.
Desalination of seawater is another technological innovation. The country operates five desalination plants, supplying over 585 million cubic meters of water annually.
For nearly a century, Israel has been home to the Volcani Institute, an agricultural research center that trains specialists in agriculture. Many of these specialists come from around the world to study there.
The institute focuses on climate change research, desert agriculture techniques, irrigation using treated and desalinated water, efficient water usage, crop cultivation in controlled environments, and developing new varieties of fruit and grain crops that require less water but yield more.
United States
In Southern California lies the Imperial Valley. Until the early 20th century, few people lived there due to the challenging desert climate, with daytime summer temperatures reaching extreme levels. However, from late October to early April, temperatures become more tolerable. Even in winter, the region receives up to eight hours of sunlight per day, making it the sunniest place in the United States.
For the past hundred years, agriculture has flourished in the Imperial Valley, becoming the backbone of the region’s economy. The valley boasts 500,000 acres of farmland. Today, it supplies two-thirds of the United States’ winter vegetable demand, producing 65 different crops. Additionally, livestock such as cows and sheep are raised there.
Transforming the desert into an agricultural oasis has been made possible through irrigation. 100% of the water used for irrigation comes from the Colorado River, delivered via a network of irrigation canals totaling about 5,000 kilometers in length. Desalinated water is also used for irrigation in the region’s agricultural practices.
Saudi Arabia
In recent years, the Saudi Arabian government has placed significant emphasis on developing agriculture. While the region once thrived on a nomadic culture centered around livestock herding, that way of life ended in the 1960s. Over the past decades, Saudi Arabia has not only achieved self-sufficiency in agricultural production but also exports products such as dates, dairy products, eggs, fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Irrigation and efficient water resource management play a critical role in crop cultivation. Three of the world’s six largest desalination plants are located in Saudi Arabia (the others are in Israel, the UAE, and Egypt).
In recent decades, Saudi Arabia has faced significant depletion of its groundwater reserves, prompting measures to address the issue.
Currently, the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is developing sustainable methods to advance the country’s agricultural sector. In September 2024, Saudi Arabia launched a two-year project to explore methods such as nanofiltration, electrodialysis, and reverse osmosis to optimize and reduce the cost of water desalination.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The majority of the United Arab Emirates’ territory is desert. However, the use of technological innovations has opened new opportunities for agriculture.
Like many other desert nations (mentioned above) that are advancing agricultural development, the UAE actively supports agricultural startups and invests heavily in this sector.
In recent years, these technological companies have been seeking innovative solutions to longstanding challenges, leveraging artificial intelligence, robotics, hydroponics, vertical farming, and the creation of supportive ecosystems. The rapid development of technology is unlocking numerous opportunities, even for a traditional industry like agriculture.
This article is brought to you by INPS Japan and Soka Gakkai International in consultative status with ECOSOC.