Scientists say that Jiang Jiyu, a farmer in the coastal city of Dalian in the northeast province of Liaoning, has found an effective method for bringing deserts under control.
The answer, they say, is the Canadian potato, a perennial herbal plant originating in North America.
Jiang, 60, who lives in Changlingzi Village of Changcheng Town, spent six years of intensive research and a good deal of money to develop the technology.
He now holds a patent for his innovative desert-control method. Using his technology, Liaoning Desert-Control and Forestation Research Institute ran a pilot project on 26.67 hectares of desert land in 2001.
"We found that the Canadian potatoes survived a rare dry spell and continued growing well, while all other crops and plants were greatly damaged," said its report.
Researchers at the institute said that the Canadian potato is the most-efficient desert-control method at present. It produces quick results at a low cost.
Dr. Wu Xiangyun at the research institute said the Canadian potato is recognized worldwide as highly resistant to cold, drought, the effects of sand, and it is immune to pests and multiplies quickly. In addition, the plant is also potentially a cash crop.
Jiang's success have sent out a clear message that "planting Canadian potatoes makes good sense, both environmentally and financially."
The cost for planting each hectare with the Canadian potato is only around 750 yuan (US$90.36), said a township government official in Tongliao.
Many farmers in the town are growing the potatoes now.
"One hectare of land planted with Canadian potatoes," Wu estimated, "will produce around 22.5 tons of stem tuber, a product instantly edible, and potential raw materials for starch, candy, food additives, alcohol and health products."
He also noted that even the leaves and stalks could be used as feedstuff.
Wu proposed that research on processing of Canadian potatoes start as soon as possible, "so that large-scale commercial production can start soon."
Jiang said his crusade against deserts began in 1996 when a trip to Tongliao in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region brought him to the dreadful reality of desertification.
The scene shocked him, but also provoked him into thinking: "Can't anything be grown in these deserts?"
Thus began six years of research and experimentation. In the process, Jiang won support of local governments and a large following among his countrymen.
To date, Jiang has establish-ed 200 hectares of Canadian potato seed-breeding centers in Dalian and the southern outskirts of Beijing.
(eastday.com March 29, 2002)
