In the arid deserts of Hoa Dien in Xinjiang, China, a pioneering agricultural initiative has taken root. Chinese scientists recently successfully developed a fast-growing variety of rice grown in desert greenhouses, marking a major milestone in agricultural innovation. From planting to harvest, this rice variety matures in just 75 days, revolutionizing traditional growing methods and offering new hope for sustainable food production in challenging environments.
By harnessing abundant solar energy in desert regions, a team led by Dr. Dung Kong Chong from the Institute of Urban Agriculture (IUA) of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences has achieved remarkable results after five years of research. By introducing vertical farming techniques and controlling artificial light, they optimized the growing conditions for rice. This technology enables year-round cultivation and rapid propagation of rice in desert areas, while the growth cycle is reduced by approximately 40% compared to traditional field cultivation.
According to Mr Wong Sam, an IUA researcher, the project used local rice varieties and advanced rapid propagation techniques. “The germination process took only 15 days. In February, we transplanted the rice into soilless trays. Currently, the entire production cycle is only 60 days,” he said.
Dr Dong Kong Chong highlights the significant cost savings achieved by using solar energy in the desert environment of Xinjiang compared to laboratory experiments carried out at the IUA headquarters in Chengdu. “The interconnected desert greenhouses in Hoa Dien are highly efficient and cost-effective, with construction costs averaging around 350 yuan (approximately VND 1.2 million) per square meter, which is one third the cost of glass greenhouses in the Netherlands. Energy consumption costs are also reduced by approximately 25% compared to Dutch greenhouses. In the future, these greenhouses will be able to integrate new energy sources, mechanization, smart equipment and technologies. This will significantly reduce construction and operating costs, making them highly competitive internationally.”
Innovation isn’t limited to rice. The research team is also exploring key technologies for rapid propagation of other staple crops such as soybeans, corn and wheat, as well as oilseeds such as canola and cotton, in desert greenhouses in Hoa Dien.
This innovative initiative holds great promise for addressing food security challenges, especially in regions with harsh climate conditions. By applying advanced agricultural technologies such as desert greenhouses and rapid propagation techniques, we can open up new opportunities for sustainable food production and contribute to global efforts to achieve a more sustainable agricultural future.
