China’s “desert wheat farms” have survived repeated sandstorms and continue to grow following an initial trial in the country’s largest desert, as part of an ongoing effort to combat desertification and unlock the land’s potential for strengthening national food security.Two years ago, on the fringes of the Taklamakan Desert in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, China launched an unprecedented project to plant wheat in sand.The first harvest, covering 400 hectares (988 acres) on the desert’s southwestern edge, proved a landmark achievement. Since then, sustained efforts across various desert locations have enabled crops to withstand harsh conditions, while reducing the labour...