TAIYUAN, April 14 (Xinhua) -- In a remote stretch of the Sahara Desert, rows of young fruit trees are taking root in shifting sands, an unusual sight in one of the world's harshest environments.
Planted by teams from China and Mauritania, the orange and pomegranate trees are part of a pilot project under the China-Africa Green Technology Park. Local residents say the trees require minimal maintenance and could begin bearing fruit as early as next year.
The project has been described as a potential model for tackling desertification and promoting green development across sub-Saharan Africa.
At the center of the effort is a device known as SHUBAO, developed by 67-year-old Chinese inventor Zhao Shuhai. Buried near plant roots, it collects and stores moisture from the surrounding environment, releasing it gradually during dry periods to sustain growth with minimal irrigation.
The technology has already shown results in China, offering a glimpse of its potential abroad.
In Yuncheng, a city in north China's Shanxi Province, trees planted five years ago at a former mining site using the same technology are now thriving, helping restore degraded land.
"One water charge in SHUBAO can sustain a tree for three to four months," Zhao said. In places like Yuncheng, which receive around 400 to 500 millimeters of rainfall a year, he said, natural precipitation alone can significantly improve tree survival rates when combined with the device.
China's broader efforts to curb desertification have increasingly relied on technological solutions, providing a foundation for innovations like SHUBAO.
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China launched major programs to protect and restore key ecosystems, with desertification and sandification areas continuing to shrink.
A total of 549 million mu (36.6 million hectares) of land underwent afforestation, over 4.34 million mu of wetlands were restored, and 152 million mu of desertified land were treated during the period, official data showed.
The technology has also gained wider international recognition.
SHUBAO was showcased at the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in 2024 as one of China's selected solutions for desert control.
Following the event, Zhao was invited to Saudi Arabia to present the technology to local stakeholders.
The Saudi Green Initiative aims to plant 10 billion trees, equivalent to rehabilitating 40 million hectares across the country.
"Our region is arid and receives little rainfall, so we rely on drip irrigation, and even groundwater is scarce. SHUBAO is highly suitable for our conditions," said a farm manager who observed the device in use.
Zhao said the technology's applications go beyond tree planting. "It has delivered promising results in promoting fruit tree growth and greenhouse cultivation," he said. "The device can also help reduce groundwater extraction and cut down on fertilizer use, which is significant for developing organic dryland agriculture and increasing farmers' incomes."
Before retiring, Zhao worked at the power supply bureau in Yuncheng, where he developed a habit of solving practical problems through hands-on experimentation. Over the past three decades, he has filed a total of 90 patent applications.
SHUBAO has applied for patents in over 70 countries, including China, the United States, Canada and parts of Africa.
"I will continue promoting this technology around the world," Zhao said. "I hope it can support greening efforts, especially in arid regions." ■
