Chinese Device Helps Desert Trees Thrive Without Irrigation

In the heart of the Sahara Desert, orange and pomegranate trees are growing where sand once blew freely across barren dunes. The secret isn't a miracle, but a simple device buried near each tree's roots.

Chinese inventor Zhao Shuhai spent three decades perfecting SHUBAO, a moisture-collecting system that keeps trees alive in extreme conditions. The 67-year-old retired power supply worker filed 90 patents before creating the device that's now turning arid land green across two continents.

Here's how it works: SHUBAO sits underground near plant roots, collecting moisture from the surrounding environment and releasing it slowly during dry periods. One water charge keeps a tree thriving for three to four months, even in places that receive minimal rainfall.

In China's Yuncheng region, trees planted five years ago at a former mining site now stand healthy and strong. The area gets just 400 to 500 millimeters of rain yearly, yet natural precipitation combined with SHUBAO keeps survival rates high without constant irrigation.

The results caught international attention quickly. At the 2024 UN Convention to Combat Desertification, China showcased SHUBAO as a model solution for desert control, leading Saudi Arabia to invite Zhao to present the technology for their ambitious plan to plant 10 billion trees.

A Saudi farm manager who observed the device said it perfectly fits their challenges. "Our region is arid and receives little rainfall, so we rely on drip irrigation, and even groundwater is scarce," he explained.

Now teams from China and Mauritania are testing the technology at the China-Africa Green Technology Park. Local residents report the trees need minimal care and could bear fruit as soon as next year, a remarkable timeline for desert agriculture.

The Ripple Effect

The benefits extend far beyond individual trees. Zhao says SHUBAO helps reduce groundwater extraction and cuts fertilizer use significantly, making organic dryland agriculture more viable for struggling farmers.

Between 2021 and 2025, China treated 152 million mu of desertified land and completed afforestation on 549 million mu as part of its ecosystem restoration programs. Technologies like SHUBAO accelerated these gains while using fewer resources.

The device has applications in greenhouse cultivation and fruit tree growth too. Farmers can increase yields while protecting precious water supplies, a win for both income and environmental sustainability.

Zhao has applied for patents in over 70 countries across Africa, North America, and beyond. His goal isn't profit but impact: bringing green growth to the world's most challenging environments.

"I hope it can support greening efforts, especially in arid regions," Zhao said, and the expanding groves in the Sahara suggest his hope is becoming reality.