China's recent initiatives to convert wastelands such as saline-alkali soils, desert lands, and abandoned mining areas into fertile agricultural fields have caught the attention of global media. International reports say that these efforts are significant not only for China's food security, but also hold the potential to contribute to global sustainable agricultural development.

Tech innovations help reclaim "wastelands"

Saline-alkali soil transformation is a critical aspect of China's strategy to protect and improve arable land. The country's efforts in this area have been particularly noteworthy, as highlighted by several international media outlets.

Bloomberg recently reported China's successes in saline-alkali soil management, citing a village in Shandong province in east China, located less than 20 kilometers from the Yellow Sea, where traditionally high salt concentrations in the soil have made farming challenging.

However, with the introduction of a pioneering method to loosen the compacted soil and wash out the salt, the fields have seen significant improvements. Bloomberg noted that thanks to the soil treatment, wheat yields have tripled, matching the output of regular farmland.

Beyond saline-alkali soils, Chinese researchers are also transforming deserts into arable land. According to the global tourism media outlet Travel Tomorrow, a research team from Chongqing Jiaotong University has successfully turned parts of Inner Mongolia's Ulan Buh Desert into fields capable of supporting agriculture.

This project is particularly notable for its multi-functional approach, which integrates sand control, stabilization and ecological restoration. During initial field trials, the team managed to grow various crops, including peppers, melons, corn and rice, with promising yields.

The project's success has led to further trials in other desert regions, including the Taklamakan Desert in China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, the Sahara Desert in northern Africa and the Middle East.

Exploring non-traditional arable lands

In addition to saline-alkali soils and deserts, China is exploring the potential of repurposing abandoned mining areas for agriculture.

Bloomberg also reported the transforming of a former mining site in Chongqing's Fuling district into productive rice paddies. This innovative approach to land reclamation not only addresses ecological restoration but also supports agricultural development. A local mining company has established an ecological restoration project team that conducted multiple experiments to improve soil quality and water retention. Between 2020 and 2023, the company successfully converted over 30 hectares of limestone mines into arable land.

The attention of agricultural companies and researchers is increasingly turning toward non-traditional arable land resources such as idle mining sites, saline-alkali soils and deserts. With continuous technological advancements, many lands that were once unsuitable for farming are now being utilized for agriculture through technological innovation and infrastructure development.

Global impact of China's land reclamation technology

China's efforts to develop non-traditional arable land resources have garnered global recognition.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, salt-affected soils account for at least 10 percent of the world's arable land, with an additional one billion hectares at risk. Effective management of these soils is crucial to meeting global food demand.

China's innovations have also led to the breeding of salt-tolerant crop varieties. For instance, a new salt-tolerant rapeseed variety developed in Dongtai, Jiangsu province in east China, has set a national high-yield record for rapeseed on saline-alkali soil. Additionally, in Xinjiang's desert regions, a local aquaculture company is using saline lake water to simulate seawater conditions, promoting inland aquaculture and boosting the supply of seafood in China.

The global media's reports on China's land reclamation efforts underscore the significant role that these technologies could play in addressing global food security challenges. As China continues to innovate and expand its agricultural capabilities, its contributions to sustainable agriculture could have a lasting impact worldwide.