Tokyo:
Staffers of Kyoto University and Panasonic Corp. have jointly devised a technology that may be used for greening deserts, company representatives reported on Friday.
Japanese specialists have offered to coat sand with a water repellant agent that holds water.
With the help of this technology it is possible to create a fertile soil layer, retaining up to 70 percent of water.
Unlike the already existing methods, the new technology allows air circulation in the soil, contributing to the growth of plants.
The production of one ton of water repellant agent is estimated at about 10,000 yen (about 100 dollars).
The new technology is to be presented on the market in 2016. It is expected to be in demand first of all in African, Middle East and Central Asian countries, where the problem of desert greening and fight against desert invasion is most acute.
