A Norwegian company has developed a groundbreaking technology that can transform barren sand into fertile, farmable soil in as little as seven hours, offering a powerful solution to global desertification and food security challenges. The innovation, called Liquid Nanoclay (LNC), is the creation of Desert Control, a Stavanger-based company that has been working on this technology since 2005.
The patented process uses a naturally occurring, eco-friendly mixture of water and clay particles at the nanoscale. When this “liquid nanoclay” is sprayed onto sandy land, it penetrates the soil and coats each individual grain of sand. This process fundamentally changes the physical properties of the sand, creating a soil-like structure that is capable of retaining water and nutrients, just like a sponge.
The need for a solution is urgent: an estimated 12 million hectares of fertile land are lost to desertification each year, threatening global food production and the livelihoods of millions. Traditional methods of improving sandy soil are labor-intensive, costly, and can take years to yield results. In contrast, the application of Liquid Nanoclay is a one-time treatment that takes effect almost immediately. Once treated, the soil is ready for planting in a matter of hours, and the positive effects on water retention and crop yield can last for several years.
Initial tests in desert regions like the United Arab Emirates have shown remarkable results, with treated plots exhibiting a significant increase in water retention—reducing the need for irrigation by up to 50%—and a 17-62% increase in crop yields. The technology is non-toxic and contains no chemical additives, making it a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative for agriculture.
Desert Control is now scaling up its operations and working with partners globally to apply this technology to farms and landscapes in arid regions. The company’s vision is to make agriculture more sustainable and resilient in the face of climate change, proving that with the right technology, we can literally turn the tide on desertification and make the earth green again.
