This solution is about sand-based technology to save irrigation water usage and reduce infiltration. Aeolian sands were sorted, washed, and then coated with water-repellency layers, and applied as a thin liner beneath the soil where the plants are rooted.  It is a one-time application for many years, as long as the layer is not disturbed.

More than a dozen of projects in China have been completed since 2010, from reversing desertification to farming in barren lands.  The size ranges from a few hectares to 100 hectares. A few projects in UAE were also completed in 2018, including a desert farm to combat food insecurity.  Various fruits, crops, and vegetables are planted. People now can enjoy fresh local produces which was not available much before, and water usage can be reduced by up to 70-80%. 

This technology won the Gold Award, in the “Innovation in Sustainable Technologies” category, at the Gulf Sustainability Awards in 2021.