Abstract

Desertification, or desert agriculture, refers to the production of crops in mostly dry or arid areas using innovative techniques such as water collecting, the introduction of drought-resistant species, and land enhancement via Half-moon and Zai pits. The Half-moon technique is used in arid regions to collect water and save the soil. It entails constructing semi-circular pits (trays or bunds) to capture and store rainfall, as well as incorporating organic matter into the soil to enhance its fertility. Crops are cultivated in beds, where nutrients and water are concentrated, so assisting the plants. This sustainable, cost-effective technique mitigates deforestation, enhances agricultural output, and rehabilitates degraded land. The Zai technique is a historical agricultural strategy used in arid and semi-arid regions to enhance soil fertility and improve water retention. It entails creating tiny apertures, filling them with soil or manure, and then inserting plants into the openings. It facilitates plant growth in suboptimal soil by capturing precipitation and concentrating nutrients inside the pits. This simple and cost-effective technique effectively rehabilitates degraded soil and enhances agricultural output in arid regions. These techniques mitigate water runoff, enhance soil fertility, and increase agricultural yield under challenging conditions. Desert agriculture is crucial for food security, mitigating pollution, and assisting populations in arid regions. Ultimately, it is a secure technique to transform vacant land into productive agricultural systems. This article examines the Zai and Half-moon techniques and their use in land shaping and how to make it. It also examines the advantages of using these strategies. Both strategies are essential for water collecting and sustainable agriculture since they enhance soil fertility when used.