AJAIB!! China Dan Arab Saudi Mengubah Gurun Menjadi Lahan Pertanian

Summary

This video explores the innovative methods used by countries like Saudi Arabia and China to transform arid and desert regions into fertile agricultural land. Saudi Arabia uses advanced irrigation technology, notably the Center Pivot Irrigation system, to convert vast desert areas into productive farmlands, becoming a major exporter of vegetables and fruits. Meanwhile, China tackles desertification with projects like the Green Wall, a massive reforestation effort, and ancient techniques like the Karst irrigation system. Additionally, China uses modern innovations such as biodegradable barriers and eco-friendly paste to combat desert expansion, showcasing successful environmental engineering solutions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Saudi Arabia faces a challenge of having 95% of its land as desert, with only 1.5% being arable.
• 😀 To tackle desertification, Saudi Arabia uses the Center Pivot Irrigation (CPI) technology, which irrigates large circular areas using sprinklers.
• 😀 The introduction of CPI technology has helped Saudi Arabia triple its arable land from 11,400 km² in 1961 to 35,000 km² by 2016.
• 😀 Saudi Arabia now exports fruits and vegetables globally, overcoming its initial dependency on importing 80% of its food.
• 😀 China, despite its vast land, faces desertification in areas such as the Gobi Desert, affecting 28% of its territory.
• 😀 The Green Wall Project in China aims to combat desertification by planting trees across vast areas to prevent desert expansion.
• 😀 China's Green Wall Project is the largest reforestation effort in human history, targeting 88 million hectares of forest by 2050.
• 😀 The Karst irrigation system in Turpan, China, is an ancient network of vertical wells and horizontal tunnels that provide water to dry regions.
• 😀 China also uses a **Polylactic Acid Sand Barrier** to control desert expansion in the Kubuqi Desert, using eco-friendly materials to stabilize sand dunes.
• 😀 The Desert Paste Technology, developed by scientists in 2017, allows desert sand to hold water and nutrients, enabling plant growth in previously barren areas.

Q & A

What is the primary method used by Saudi Arabia to transform desert land into fertile agricultural land?

Saudi Arabia uses a technology called the Center for Irrigation (CP) to transform desert land into fertile agricultural areas. This involves mechanical irrigation that sprays water from underground aquifers onto large circular fields, which helps in converting the desert into arable land.

What percentage of Saudi Arabia's land was fertile before the introduction of irrigation technology in 1961?

Before the introduction of advanced irrigation technology in 1961, only about 0.5% of Saudi Arabia's land, or around 11,400 km², was fertile.

How much did Saudi Arabia increase its fertile land by 2016 after using modern irrigation techniques?

By 2016, Saudi Arabia increased its fertile land nearly threefold to about 35,000 km² through the use of advanced irrigation technologies.

How has Saudi Arabia's agricultural capacity changed since the introduction of irrigation technology?

Saudi Arabia, which once imported 80% of its food, has become a major exporter of vegetables and fruits, thanks to the success of its irrigation technology in transforming desert areas into productive farmland.

What is the Green Wall project in China and why was it initiated?

The Green Wall project is China's massive afforestation initiative aimed at preventing the expansion of the Gobi Desert and combating desertification. It was initiated to protect northern China from the desert's spread and to prevent the loss of fertile land.

What is the goal of China's Green Wall project in terms of area and tree planting?

The Green Wall project aims to plant trees across an area of 88 million hectares, with the goal of preventing desertification. The project is expected to be completed by 2050.

What is the Karst system in China and how does it help combat desertification?

The Karst system is an ancient irrigation method in China, consisting of underground tunnels that transport water from mountains to arid plains. This system, which dates back to the 4th century BC, helps prevent desertification by providing a consistent water supply to dry regions.

How has the Karst system been maintained over the centuries?

The Karst system has been maintained by local communities, particularly the Uighur people. They periodically clean and maintain the tunnels by removing sediment to ensure water continues to flow effectively.

What is the role of polylactic acid sand barriers in China's desert reclamation efforts?

Polylactic acid sand barriers are used in China's Kubuqi Desert to combat desertification. These biodegradable barriers reduce wind speed and stabilize the sandy surface, which helps in transforming the desert into productive land that can support agriculture.

What is the 'pasta technology' used in China's Wulan Bu Desert, and how does it help combat desertification?

Pasta technology is a method where a paste made from biodegradable materials is applied to desert sand. The paste, which includes sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), helps turn the desert sand into soil that retains water and nutrients, enabling plants to grow in arid environments.

How effective has the straw sand barrier method been in Xinjiang, China?

The straw sand barrier method in Xinjiang has been highly effective in controlling the movement of desert sands. By creating physical barriers from dry straw, local communities have successfully stabilized the desert surface, leading to land reclamation and increased agricultural productivity.

What are the long-term goals of the Green Wall project in China?

The long-term goal of the Green Wall project is to reduce the expansion of the Gobi Desert, restore large areas of barren land, and ultimately transform these regions into fertile areas capable of supporting vegetation and preventing further desertification.

Why is Saudi Arabia's use of fossil water in irrigation significant?

The use of fossil water in Saudi Arabia's irrigation system is significant because it taps into ancient underground aquifers to supply water for agriculture. This water is not renewable, making the sustainability of such irrigation methods a critical concern for the country's future agricultural practices.