An arid land, with little rainfall, dry ... It is not something that is usually associated with vegetation, less speaking of conreos. But yes, it is a real practice, which is being done, and more common than it may seem a priori. Cultivation in deserts is increasingly being presented as an alternative to supply a population living in desert lands. And in addition, it is being done with renewable energy, so the effect of pollution is reduced to a minimum.
From Take advantage of humidity, water transport and even seawater. One of the most recent is found in Qatar, it is called the "Sahara Forest Project".
The Sahara Forest Project
This project is mainly about taking advantage of one of the most abundant sources in Qatar, heat. The facilities have with a concentrated solar power plant. With this they achieve the first step, convert heat to steam. Then, through turbines and generators, it is transformed into electricity. So the seawater can then be pumped in and used to cool the greenhouses.
With the fresh water, which results from the waste from the greenhouses, is reused for the irrigation of the plants that are in the exterior. The hedges that are strategically planted outside also help filter any excess water, thus creating the moist and cool environment necessary for the plants with the help of the wind.
It was so ambitious and unusual, that most of the participants in the project were between enthusiasm and skepticism as to whether they would finally achieve the objectives. He started this project a few years ago, and today it is already well implemented and working correctly.
A dream achieved
Doha, Qatar, West Bay
Neil Crumpton, who is the President and CEO of Planet Hydrogen, assured that this project has the potential to change things. «The most important problems today are climate change and water resources worldwide. These simple technologies can address both problems. I can't help but think that this is a vision and not a mirage.
It should also be added that Qatar, with its vast economic power, is managing to transform itself in ways never seen before. Other experts, however, aren't entirely sure whether this is really the right way to go. Financing the facilities alone cost $5 million. Patrick González, ecologist who has worked with the University of California at Berkeley, was somewhat harsh about it. «With that same capital, you could restore ecosystems and helping people more effectively through community management of natural resources. '
The Sekem cooperative
Sekem cooperative agriculture fields
40 years ago, Ibrahim Abouleish, founded an Egyptian cooperative south of Cairo, Sekem. Ibrahim, who won the Alternative Nobel Prize in 2003, wanted to be ahead of his time. He himself stated that the business was conceived as "21st-century model in which business success and the social and cultural development of society are integrated through an economy of affection." Such was the success that, by comparison, when the Sahara Project began, Sekem already had seven companies and a staff of 2.000 workers.
Sekem currently produces organic foods, as well as health products and textiles. Among all the companies that embrace the ecological and quality of their products, we find some that seem to distance themselves from pure agriculture. Atos, the company that produces health medications and even cancer products, is also called Sekem. Sekem in addition to having its own Academy for the workers, launched a public university. A great example of the dream Ibrahim was pursuing.
We can also find more examples in other countries, such as Libya, or some that are becoming more leading in the sector, such as Israel. But did you also know that against climate change, there are other agricultural techniques, such as, Conservation Agriculture?
