Farming in the desert sounds no less than a wild idea at first. You’ve got sand, scorching heat, barely any rain, and soil that is not very fertile.
But the thing is, it can be done. Your agricultural business can absolutely flourish, even when the rain gauges stay stubbornly low. So, if you’ve got your eye on a dry, dusty piece of land, don’t write it off just yet. There is a way to make it work.
Here, we’ll share a few strategies that can help your farm grow and profit in dry and arid regions.
1) Choose Drought-Resistant Crops
Not all plants can handle dry conditions. Traditional crops like corn and alfalfa drink a lot of water.
Corn, for instance, needs over 20 inches of water. Alfalfa is also an incredibly thirsty crop, often requiring 20 to 46 inches of water.
Established markets make them seem like safe bets. But the rising cost and scarcity of water are pushing smart farmers to look at alternatives.
The good news? There are plenty of drought-tolerant crops that can boost your bottom line.
Take sorghum, for example. This grain is way more water-efficient than corn. It only needs about 8 inches of water. It’s naturally tough, with waxy leaves to cut down water loss, and it self-pollinates, so a dry spell during pollination isn’t catastrophic.
Or how about thinking outside the grain box with agave? This succulent is highly drought-tolerant. They can store water in their thick, fleshy leaves, which makes them an excellent choice for desert farming.
Don’t stop there. Heritage grains like White Sonora wheat, legumes like heat-loving tepary beans, and fruits like pomegranates or jujubes handle dry spells well.
A pro tip: match the crop to your local conditions—check those USDA hardiness zones. Also, make sure there’s a market ready to buy what you grow.
2) Get Smart with Water
Growing the right crop is step one, but how you water it is just as critical for success in desert farming.
Simply flooding fields is not just wasteful, but also less economically sound. Agricultural profitability in arid regions depends on efficient irrigation practices.
Drip irrigation is a game-changer here. Whether it’s on the surface or buried beneath, these systems deliver water precisely where plants need it—the root zone. This slashes water loss from evaporation and runoff.
Having a drip isn’t enough. You must also use technology like soil moisture sensors or weather stations. These tools let you know exactly when your crops are thirsty and how much water they need.
There is also atmospheric water harvesting. According to Atoco, this sustainable, off-the-grid water generation and supply solution regenerates vegetation in areas suffering from desertification.
This technology adsorbs water molecules from the air and turns them into usable liquid water. Even under dry conditions with relative humidity below 20%, atmospheric water harvesting can generate pure water out of the atmosphere.
Pair this tech with efficient irrigation and you’ve got a powerful setup to make the desert bloom without draining your budget or your well.
3) Improve Soil Health
Desert soil isn’t soft, fluffy, or nutrient-rich. It’s often sandy, salty, and super low in organic matter. So, water tends to run right through them or evaporate quickly.
You can totally fix that. The magic ingredient? Organic matter. Add things like well-rotted compost, properly aged manure, or biochar (a charcoal-like amendment that lasts for ages).
These can dramatically increase your soil’s ability to soak up and hold onto water. Just a 1% increase in organic matter can help your soil hold around 20,000 gallons of water per acre. Not only that, but organic matter can also improve soil structure. That makes it easier for roots to grow and water to infiltrate.
Another powerful tool is cover cropping. Planting crops like legumes such as cowpeas or brassicas during fallow periods can protect your soil from wind and water erosion. They also add valuable organic matter when tilled in, suppress weeds, and improve water infiltration.
Cover crops sure use some water, which is a valid concern. But if you choose low-water varieties and manage planting and termination carefully, you can manage the water use while reaping the long-term soil benefits.
Applying mulch like straw or wood chips also works wonders for holding in moisture and keeping the soil cool.
The takeaway? Farming in the desert definitely throws some curveballs, with water scarcity being the biggest one. But it’s far from impossible. In fact, it’s an opportunity for innovation and smart business decisions.
Sure, it takes planning, maybe some investment, and a willingness to adapt. But the potential to thrive even when water is tight is there. So, roll up your sleeves and get creative. There’s profit hiding in that dry soil, just waiting for someone bold enough to dig it up.
