JERS - DESERT FARMING
JERS - DFS
JERS Desert Farming technology introduced by the JERS Corporation is a type of agriculture method that involves cultivating crops in arid or semi-arid regions, where rainfall is limited and water resources are scarce. It is a challenging form of agriculture that has innovative techniques and technologies to overcome the harsh environmental conditions of desert regions.
Desertification is a major threat to biodiversity. JERS offers a solution to convert deserts into arable and green lands providing a long-term solution to world hunger and climate change.
Desert agriculture involves modern farming techniques for the cultivation of crops in arid areas which were previously considered unsuitable for agriculture. Desert agriculture relies on maximizing the availability of water. Much of the Middle East was not what we see now about 10,000 years ago. It was a place of rolling grasslands, forests and jungles receiving torrential rains as in tropical Southeast Asia. Water is the most central in the greening of the area. Modern technologies have tapped into ancient water sources which are now buried and fossil water is trapped in aquifers.
Desert lands in the Middle East lie on huge reserves of not only oil but also water.Technologies have been perfected to maximise the utility of water with less energy for efficient desert farming.
KEY FACTS
- According to the World ResourcesInstitute, in 2019, 12 of the 17 most water-stressed countries in the world are in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
- Water shortage which is prevalent all over the world is much more pronounced in this area which makes conventional farming not practical.
- Today Desert farming is receiving a much more impetus from the Governments of the region to improve food security reduce water consumption, and promote sustainable development in the region.
- The Governments in this region are investing heavily in public-private partnerships and collaborations for sustainable agricultural practices.
- Middle East & Africa desert farming market was valued at USD 63.06 million in 2021 and is predicted to grow at CAGR of 5.71% through 2028.
APPLICATIONS
- Increased food security: Desert farming can help to increase food security in regions where traditional agriculture is not possible due to water scarcity.
- Conservation of natural resources: Desert farming can help to conserve natural resources, such as water and soil, by promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
- Economic development: Desert farming can provide economic opportunities for communities living in desert regions, particularly through the production and sale of high-value crops.
- Adopting regenerative faming in arid desert region using modern technology not only helps heal the planet but also improve human health, since accommodating increased demands on agriculture with existing farming practices and short-term fixes could lead to further land degradation, increased gas emissions, and intensified competition for natural resources.
- One of the many benefits of Desert farming is the drastic shift in the bacterial communities in desert soil. Bacterial communities in agricultural soils had increased diversity and improved ecosystem function for plant health.
- Desert farms being proposed by JERS shall be biodynamic farms having a significantly better soil quality than conventionally farmed soils but comparable to the soil quality achieved by other organic methods, due to the microbial rich bio-organic fertilizer treatment which is responsible for nutrient and organic matter supply. JERS organic fertilizers are known for their extremely high bacterial diversity and are also specific.
- Desert farming increased soil biodiversity; wherein indigenous desert microorganisms fulfill important functions in desert agro-ecosystems: whereas certain strains in-turn gets enriched via plant roots from desert soil.