Researchers at the Central University of Rajasthan (CUoR) have successfully grown wheat in the arid Thar desert using an indigenous bioformulation-based soilification technology.

What is Desertification ? 

• Desertification: It refers to land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities
• Land degradation: Reduction or loss of the biological/economic productivity of land due to soil erosion, salinity, waterlogging, deforestation, mining, or unsustainable land use.
• Extent in India: 
  • As per ISRO’s Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas (2021): 29.77% of India’s total geographical area (≈ 97.85 million hectares) is undergoing land degradation.
  • Major affected states: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana.
  • Rajasthan alone accounts for nearly 20% of India’s desertified area.
• Desertification threats: Accelerated due to destruction of the Aravali ranges, rainfall variability, spread of sand dunes, unscientific plantation, and land degradation.

Technology and Methodology

• Soilification Technique: Desert sand modified into soil using polymers and indigenous bioformulation.
• Functions of Bioformulation:
• • Enhance water retention in sandy soil.
  • Promote cross-linking of sand particles to improve soil structure.
  • Stimulate beneficial microbial activity boosting stress resistance in crops.
• Objective: Develop a sustainable method to convert sandy desert land into agriculturally productive soil.
• Earlier trials: Conducted in the laboratory with bajra, guar gum, and chickpea before moving to field-level wheat trials.

Wheat Cultivation Experiment

• Location: Banseli village near Pushkar, Ajmer district (edge of the Thar desert).
• Crop: Wheat-4079 indigenous variety.
• Scale: 13 kg seeds sown over 1,000 sq. metres in Nov 2024.
• Irrigation efficiency: Required only three irrigations during the cycle, compared to normal five to six cycles.
• Yield: Harvested in April 2025 with output of 26 kg wheat per 100 sq. metres.
• Seed-to-harvest ratio: 1:20, double compared to normal arid zone conditions.
• Institutional support: Project supported by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and the State Horticulture Department.

Significance

• Agricultural Productivity: Converts barren desert into cultivable land, ensuring food security.
• Water efficiency: Demonstrates high water-use efficiency crucial for arid regions.
  • Reduced irrigation requirement (3–4 cycles vs. 5–6 cycles).
• Sustainability: Offers a biotechnological solution to desertification, transforming barren desert lands into productive farmland.
• Scalability: Potential to expand to other crops like millet and green gram in Rajasthan and other dry regions.
• Societal impact: Demonstrates applied science turning into a practical solution for food security and sustainable agriculture in arid ecosystems

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