How are crops grown in the desert?

**AgrivilleAdmin** · Apr 4, 2016, 18:25

Interesting video about Potato farming in the desert in Eqypt. Many of these potatoes are exported to the UK.

Why grow potatoes in the desert? "we have to feed people".

Grown in 47C temperatures.
Desert sand does not have any nutrients so all nutrients come via the irrigation.

Earlier this week we posted an interesting photo given to us from Planet Labs. The aerial photo shows pivot irrigation in the Sahara desert. You can be seen here:
[URL=http://beta.agriville.com/threads/28537-would-you-want-to-farm-here-interesting-aerial-photo]http://beta.agriville.com/threads/28537-would-you-want-to-farm-here-interesting-aerial-photo[/URL]

**Robertbarlage** · Apr 4, 2016, 18:40

That is very interesting

**bucket** · Apr 4, 2016, 18:40

How many crops can they take off per year. I guess that should he a consideration before I spout off like the last time.

**boarderbloke** · Apr 4, 2016, 19:34

I'm understanding that after decades of irrigation, the soil(sand) is becoming contaminated with impurities, most likely salt. Without the natural rainfall to flush it down, these impurities are left in the root zone. Understand yields are slowly decreasing, and that's why there is more interest in middle eastern countries buying farm land in N. America.

**Oliver88** · Apr 4, 2016, 19:47

Interesting video.

Seed potatoes from Scotland.
Drill 900 meters to get water for irrigation in sand.
Fertilizer is added with water.
Potatoes are actually exported to UK.

Makes me wonder how big of a subsidy there must be for potatoes, water, etc?

Due to the Arab Spring uprising, Egypt is very aware that a hungry population will riot. Is this a factor of why they are growing potatoes in a desert?

**furrowtickler** · Apr 4, 2016, 22:59

Just slightly dryer than Lethbridge country. But same results - add water to a dry climate

**furrowtickler** · Apr 5, 2016, 08:27

I find it interesting how here in western Canada we are constantly told from mainstream agroligists and traditional fertilizer retailers that foliar feeding crops is a waste of time.
I like the video - 100% of the nutrient from foliar - who woulda thought. I have even heard that nutrients cant be absorbed through the leaf - maybe they should go get some new schooling and watch that video - a few times.

**cottonpicken** · Apr 5, 2016, 10:45

Plants can't make minerals and that is why we are all so unhealthy

How are crops grown in the desert?