Deserts gain ground in Russia
Published 22 July, 2007, 16:45
Millions of hectares of Russian land is turning into desert, causing damage of more than $US 1BLN every year. There are fears it may be irreversible unless modern agricultural technologies are used and major land reclamation measures are taken.
Still known as a rich cattle-breeding region, Northern Dagestan is feared to become desert soon. Local farmers have tried to prevent their land from dying but so far have failed. Getting tired of cleaning the land of sand, they had to leave for good.
Scientists say local farming practices are to blame and warn that the process is irreversible. In about five years’ time a big part of Dagestan may be dry and lifeless.
In the Kalmykia Republic in Southern Russia slowly but surely the same thing is happening.
“Currently almost 5 MLN hectares of soil are subject to desertification. The sand is coming from the eastern part of the republic. If we don’t stop it by using phytoreclamation, the sand could swallow almost 40,000 hectares each year,” says Dmitry Sutaev, Chief of Kalmykian Forestry.
During the Soviet era, Kalmykian land was extensively ploughed. As a result, black soil was damaged and by the 80s, 95% of Kalmykian land became desert. Local authorities called for emergency measures to be taken. 
While major investment is needed to fight the disaster, local experts have devised the most cost effective technology.
“In the first year we sow oats to start soil strengthening. In the second year we plant seedlings of moss, which prevents the sand from moving further. The 3d and 4th years are good for sowing herbs like wormwood. And finally, by the fifth and sixth years we should have good pastures again,” explains Evgeny Erdniev, director of Komsomolsky Forestry.
Still, the restored fields could deteriorate again if the farmers do not follow some simple rules. They include rotating the pastures for sheep and cattle grazing, so that they are not always in the same area.
Meanwhile, foreign companies have expressed interest in the newly developed techniques- and the locals hope they can help bring life back to the dry land.
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