I am looking for an economically viable and sustainable (hypothetical) solution to grow a valuable crop in the desert. I have considered saffron, but would consider anything from microscopic upward. Water is present through very limited rainfall - 20mm p.a. at best and also from a finite and very low recharge aquifer source. Soil condition is uncertain.
could you explain what are the main purposes: sand dune fixation, other purposes (food, fodders etc), what type of irrigation, (rain-fed or Irrigated) so that we can help?
Hello Bashir,
My team and I have been set an academic exercise as part of a Masters degree program, to create sustainable occupations for up to 1000 people in this desert area of Niger. The coordinates are 18.00North and 5.00 East (not 'west' as in my first post, sorry).
We have chosen agriculture as our activity, as it has the potential to be both economically and ecologically sustainable.
Sand dune fixation is certainly a part of the problem, as this area is prone to large magnitude dune movements, both gradual and sudden.
The number of people means that food production would be a large part of the activity.
The requirements of the project is also to grow a value crop (cash crop).
I believe fodder would not be a cash crop as it is an inefficient use of resources - unless you can suggest otherwise.
The rain fall in this region is extremely low and unpredictable, so irrigated ground water is likely to be the only source. The ground water is clearly finite, so crops requiring heavy irrigation are not preferred. Estimate 200mm rainfall p.a., groundwater recharge 50mm p.a.
Rainfall in this area is unreliable and possibly worsening.
Thank you and Regards,
DAVID
Hello Bashir,
My team and I have been set an academic exercise as part of a Masters degree program, to create sustainable occupations for up to 1000 people in this desert area of Niger. The coordinates are 18.00North and 5.00 East (not 'west' as in my first post, sorry).
We have chosen agriculture as our activity, as it has the potential to be both economically and ecologically sustainable.
Sand dune fixation is certainly a part of the problem, as this area is prone to large magnitude dune movements, both gradual and sudden.
The number of people means that food production would be a large part of the activity.
The requirements of the project is also to grow a value crop (cash crop).
I believe fodder would not be a cash crop as it is an inefficient use of resources - unless you can suggest otherwise.
The rain fall in this region is extremely low and unpredictable, so irrigated ground water is likely to be the only source. The ground water is clearly finite, so crops requiring heavy irrigation are not preferred. Estimate 200mm rainfall p.a., groundwater recharge 50mm p.a.
Rainfall in this area is unreliable and possibly worsening.
Thank you and Regards,
DAVID
Dear DAVID
As I know there are multiplicity of crops that can be grown in desert climate, however, economic of the products (Marketability) and social preferences (willingness to adopt by local communities) will dictate which to plant. Some of the crops you may experiments include: (watermelons, apples, green onions, cucumbers, corn, hot peppers, melons, bell peppers, radishes, carrots, cabbage, pears, tomatoes, squash and spinach). DATE PALM is an ancient age food and cash crop in the Desert.
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