STORY AT-A-GLANCE

• Rising salt levels in soil and water are destroying farmland worldwide, with 16.6 million square kilometers now salt-affected — an area roughly the size of South America

• Saline agriculture offers a powerful solution by using salt-tolerant crops, smart irrigation, and natural soil restoration methods to turn degraded land back into productive farmland

• Research shows countries like China, India, Pakistan, Argentina, and the U.S. have millions of acres suitable for saline farming, which could help feed hundreds of millions of people without relying on scarce freshwater

• Techniques such as gypsum treatment, drip irrigation, and phytoremediation — using plants themselves to absorb and redistribute salt — is helping restore soil fertility and protect food supplies

• These same principles apply beyond farms; by managing salt, adding organic matter, and choosing resilient plants, even home gardeners can help revive soil health and contribute to global food resilience

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Farmland across the globe is losing its ability to sustain life. In regions once rich with crops, rising salt levels in soil and water are choking roots, stunting growth, and leaving fields barren. This creeping salinization is one of the most serious yet overlooked threats to global food security, advancing quietly as freshwater dwindles and weather patterns grow increasingly erratic.

The problem reaches far beyond the farm fence. When salts build up, they poison groundwater, disrupt ecosystems, and accelerate the spread of desert-like conditions. For farmers living in dry or coastal areas, each season brings tougher odds — less yield, poorer soil, and greater dependence on costly irrigation. Without action, the trend threatens not only local livelihoods but also global food supplies as productive land continues to shrink.

A new movement known as saline agriculture is offering a lifeline. Instead of fighting salt, it works with it — using resilient crops, smarter irrigation, and soil-reviving practices to bring degraded land back into production. Early results show that once-barren regions are being reclaimed, proving that the fight against soil salinity isn’t just winnable — it’s already underway.

Salt-Tolerant Crops Turn Barren Soil Into Productive Farmland

A report published in Modern Farmer explains how farmers are using saline agriculture to grow healthy crops in soils previously thought unusable.1 It focuses on managing salt levels in both soil and water so plants thrive instead of withering, along with growing crops that naturally withstand salt stress.

The piece highlights practical methods — such as using gypsum, drip irrigation, and phytoremediation (using plants to clean and restore damaged soil) — that allow growers to reclaim land damaged by drought, flooding, or poor irrigation practices.

• Crops that thrive under stress hold the key to food security — Farmers who adopt salt-tolerant plants — like barley, rye, beets, and asparagus — are able to sustain yields even when the soil’s salt concentration rises. These plants naturally withstand oxidative stress, meaning they continue to take in nutrients such as phosphorus, which fuels photosynthesis and growth. As a result, fields once destined for abandonment remain productive, offering a path forward for regions hit hardest.

• Proper water management determines success — Saline irrigation, when handled correctly, doesn’t destroy soil — it restores it. Watering crops with brackish or slightly salty water at specific growth stages works as long as salt is later flushed out of the soil. Farmers achieve this through seasonal leaching, keeping the salt levels balanced over time.

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  In areas without saline groundwater, the solution is to keep soil consistently moist with drip irrigation and mulch, reducing evaporation and preventing salt from concentrating at the surface.

• Gypsum treatment revitalizes damaged soil — Gypsum — calcium sulfate — is a mineral that plays a powerful role in repairing saline soil. Adding gypsum replaces harmful sodium ions with calcium, improving soil structure and allowing better water and nutrient flow. The precise amount needed depends on local soil conditions, so farmers are encouraged to conduct soil tests and work with agricultural extension offices before applying it.

• Phytoremediation uses plants themselves to heal the land — Phytoremediation is an emerging solution where specific plants absorb and redistribute salt, reducing its concentration in the soil. Crops such as barley are highlighted for their ability to draw saline from the root zone, improving soil quality for future seasons.

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  Because this method involves natural plant processes, it carries little risk and requires minimal intervention, making it a sustainable long-term approach.

• Technology complements traditional farming wisdom — Electrodialysis — a process using electric current and membranes to remove salt from water — offers another tool for farmers facing extreme salinity. While not required for every farm, partial desalination of irrigation water helps lower chloride buildup, especially in high-salt regions.

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  These innovations demonstrate that saline agriculture isn’t about fighting nature — it’s about working with it to maintain productivity and protect future harvests. What makes saline agriculture especially important is its global relevance. Partnerships among research institutions and local farmers are accelerating this transition, projecting that saline farming will be a leading strategy by 2050.

Saline Agriculture Reduces Freshwater Strain and Boosts Food Security

According to a report from Wageningen University & Research, salinization is one of the most pressing threats to agriculture worldwide, caused by rising sea levels, excessive groundwater extraction, and poor irrigation practices.2 These factors push salt into soils and freshwater systems, reducing fertility and crop yields. The report emphasizes that saline agriculture offers a practical solution for maintaining productivity in affected regions without overusing freshwater.

• Farmers benefit by conserving scarce freshwater resources — Traditional crops depend heavily on clean freshwater, a resource that’s shrinking in many parts of the world. Saline farming uses brackish or slightly salty water instead, helping conserve freshwater for drinking and other essential uses. This turns a liability — salty soil and water — into an asset that supports sustainable production.

• New salt-tolerant crops expand farming opportunities — The report identifies several salt-resistant species that allow growers to diversify and maintain yields. Examples include barley, camelina, safflower, and sugar beets. These crops perform well under saline conditions. By rotating salt-tolerant crops or integrating them into mixed-farming systems, growers restore profitability and extend the productive life of their land.

• Saline agriculture also reduces food scarcity in vulnerable regions — Arid and coastal countries — where salinity often makes fields unfit for traditional crops — could use this method to restore abandoned land. By turning degraded soil into working farmland, farmers stabilize local economies and improve food access. This shift could play a central role in meeting global food demand.

• Practical challenges exist but can be managed — Handling saltwater irrigation requires specialized tools and training. The study notes that saltwater corrodes metal equipment, raising maintenance costs. However, innovations in corrosion-resistant materials and improved irrigation designs are addressing these issues.

Mapping the World’s Most Promising Lands for Saline Farming

A 2022 study in the Journal of Arid Environments analyzed global soil and water data to f