TRANSFORMNG SAND TO SOIL

 TRANSFORMING SAND TO SOIL

Norwegian scientists have developed a technology that can transform dry sand into fertile soil in just seven hours. At first glance, this seems like science fiction—but it is real, and it is already being tested in desert countries like the United Arab Emirates.

The technology, called Liquid Nanoclay (LNC), mixes natural clay with water and applies it directly to sand. Within hours, the particles bind with the grains of sand, creating a moisture-retaining layer that acts like fertile soil. It can cut water usage by as much as 50% while increasing crop yields by up to 62%. Imagine that: barren desert lands made to grow crops in less than a day.

Of course, this was originally designed for desertification, but I see other applications. Why not use it here to convert beach sand into fertile soil? Why not use it to transform lahar-covered areas into productive farmlands? That would be nothing short of revolutionary for a country like ours.

Strictly speaking, desertification is not a Philippine problem because of our tropical climate and abundant rainfall. But we do have another problem: land degradation. Soil erosion already affects nearly half of our arable land, according to the UNCCD. Over-mining, improper waste disposal, and the overuse of chemical fertilizers have all contributed to declining soil health. And yes, even the creeping encroachment of sand beyond beach easement areas is a problem in coastal towns.

So while we may not have deserts like in Africa or the Middle East, we do face the same danger of losing productive land. In that sense, the solution offered by this Norwegian technology could be exactly what we need.

Now imagine this: combining Norwegian Liquid Nanoclay with Israeli water-conservation technology that allows crops to grow in arid zones. Add to that the knowledge of Filipino experts like Dr. Ed Paningbatan, who pioneered urban gardening methods such as the Enriched Potting Preparation (EPP). Dr. Paningbatan has shown us that even limited and degraded soils can be revived with the right science and ingenuity.

We should not stop there. The Philippines has many other soil scientists—at UPLB, PhilRice, Visayas State University, and beyond—who are studying everything from nitrogen-fixing bacteria to soil conservation in upland communities. Why not tap them all? Why not even include student researchers in this grand experiment? After all, the future belongs to them, and they may bring the fresh ideas we need.

The government, for its part, should adopt a whole-of-government approach. The Department of Agriculture (DA) should take the lead, but the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and academic institutions like UPLB should also be involved. If we cannot develop this technology locally, then let us bring it in through technology transfer agreements, just as we have done before in other sectors.

The cost right now is still a challenge—estimated at $2 to $5 per square meter. But costs always go down once production scales up. What if we pilot this in lahar-covered lands of Pampanga and Zambales? What if we test it in coastal areas where beach encroachment is threatening farmland? What if, in a bold move, we restore degraded uplands and watersheds with this technology, in partnership with community-based groups?

Remember, the Philippines has committed to Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) by 2030. That means restoring at least half of degraded croplands and 60% of forests, shrublands, and wetlands. But we cannot do this with tree planting alone. We need real soil restoration technologies.

The economics also make sense. If LNC can reduce irrigation needs by half, then farmers would spend less on water and still get higher yields. That could directly address rural poverty and food insecurity. For exports, restoring degraded land with this kind of technology would allow us to produce more organic and high-value crops for growing markets in Japan, South Korea, Europe, and North America.

So I ask: Why should we wait? The problem is already here. Millions of hectares of our croplands, forests, and wetlands are showing negative soil health trends. Farmers are being pushed into marginal areas, further degrading the land. Food insecurity is rising. Climate change is worsening the cycle.

The solution is already in front of us. The technology exists. We have the local scientists. We even have a national commitment to restore our land. What we need now is the political will to put all of these together into a coherent program.

If Norway can transform sand into soil in seven hours, then surely we Filipinos can transform degraded land into fertile farms within this decade—if only we dare to try.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres 
iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com 

12-16-2025