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.
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 and New Zealand spinach are highlighted for their ability to draw saline from the root zone, improving soil quality for future seasons.
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.
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, sunflower, 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 find where salt-tolerant crops could grow successfully.3 Scientists mapped 16.6 million square kilometers of salt-affected soil — roughly the size of South America — and identified nearly 2 million square kilometers that could realistically support farming. That’s enough land to feed hundreds of millions if managed correctly.
• The top hotspots stretch across five countries — The researchers found the largest salt-affected areas in Russia, Argentina, China, the U.S., and Kazakhstan.
When soil fertility and water access were factored in, the best conditions for rain-fed saline farming were found in China, Argentina, and India, while irrigated saline farming looked most promising in China, India, and Pakistan. These zones represent where farmers could turn degraded land into productive farms without competing for fresh water.
• Moderately salty soils hold the greatest promise for food security — Fields that are too salty for regular crops still have life in them if managed with salt-tolerant species. These “moderately to highly saline” soils are key to future food supply because they allow expansion without destroying forests or wetlands for new farmland. The researchers stressed that farming in these areas is not a replacement for freshwater agriculture but a complement that adds resilience to global food systems.
• Turning salt into opportunity — The findings offer a roadmap for governments, investors, and farmers to turn unproductive lands into new sources of income and food. Saline agriculture isn’t just about plants — it’s about smart water use, rural jobs, and preserving freshwater for where it’s most needed.
Scaling Saline Agriculture from Pilots to Everyday Practice
In a webinar from the Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture, hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Land and Water Division, experts shared simple, field-tested ways to grow food using salty water and salty soils, especially when supply chains broke during COVID-19.4
The session covered four things you can use right away: growing regular vegetables in mild salt, building business paths for salt-loving plants, a practical decision tool for water choices, and real projects from the Mediterranean so you see what works on the ground — not just on paper.
• “Bad” water and “poor” land become useful again — Speakers showed how to put brackish groundwater, desalination waste brine, drainage water, and fish-farm water to work, along with salty or even barren soils. This stops draining resources, saves precious freshwater, and keeps fields earning instead of sitting empty.
• Right varieties beat moderate salt without rebuilding the farm — Teams found most fields are moderately salty, not extreme. By testing many seed varieties, they consistently found regular crops that handle this level better than expected.
• Real farms saw real yield bumps and better income — Field projects delivered tangible results: salt-tolerant potatoes in Pakistan lifted yields about 30%; a salt-tolerant carrot plus better practices in Kenya roughly doubled yields; and in Bangladesh, rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, and tougher vegetables kept fields productive through the dry season instead of being abandoned. Those steps translate into steadier harvests, steadier cash flow, and more local food on the table.
• A simple tool helps mix waters and plan irrigation — Researchers are rolling out an easy Excel tool that lets farmers enter water sources, see safe blends, spot salt and infiltration risks, estimate yield under salt, and get matching fertilizer tips — all without pricey gear.
Simple Ways to Reclaim Salt-Damaged Soil and Protect Food Security
You don’t need to be a farmer to understand the importance of healthy soil — it’s the foundation of every meal you eat. Yet across the world, rising salt levels are making once-fertile land too harsh for crops. Even home gardens and small community plots are affected, especially in dry climates or areas that use well water or poor-quality irrigation.
The good news is that researchers have shown there are safe, natural ways to bring life back to salty ground — and they start with simple principles of balance, renewal, and smart stewardship. Here are five evidence-based strategies inspired by the global movement toward saline agriculture that help protect soil health, conserve water, and support sustainable food production for years to come.
1. Understand what’s happening beneath your feet — Before doing anything, get a sense of your soil’s salt and mineral content. Even inexpensive home test kits show whether your soil is too alkaline or holds excess sodium. These numbers tell a story — one that helps you decide whether to add minerals, increase watering, or rotate certain plants. Just as you wouldn’t take supplements without knowing your nutrient levels, testing ensures you’re targeting the right problem instead of guessing.
2. Use natural minerals to restore balance — One of the best tools for repairing salt-damaged soil is gypsum — a natural form of calcium sulfate. When added to soil, gypsum gently replaces the sodium ions that harden and compact the earth. The result is looser, more “breathable” soil that allows air, water, and roots to move freely again. Think of it as unlocking the soil’s ability to heal itself. You don’t need large amounts — just enough to create a shift toward balance, guided by your soil test results.
3. Keep moisture steady and salts in check — Salt problems often start when water evaporates faster than it drains. To prevent this, cover bare soil with organic mulch, which keeps moisture in and blocks salt from building up near the surface. If you grow vegetables or herbs, use drip irrigation or slow, consistent watering rather than occasional soaking. This keeps roots hydrated without washing away nutrients and helps salts move deeper into the soil, away from tender root zones.
4. Choose plants that naturally detox the soil — Certain plants act like living filters. They draw excess salts through their roots and either store or release them harmlessly — a natural process known as phytoremediation. Salt-tolerant species such as barley, beets, rye, and spinach grow where others fail and slowly help restore balance to the land. Even ornamental plants like lavender and rosemary handle mild salinity well and keep the soil active while it recovers.
5. Maintain soil health as a long-term habit — Once the soil improves, protecting it becomes an ongoing practice. Add compost or green cover crops regularly to feed soil microbes and maintain structure. Avoid chemical fertilizers, which often worsen salt buildup over time. Think of your soil as a living ecosystem — one that responds best to care, consistency, and natural support.
Restoring land degraded by salt isn’t just about gardening — it’s about food security, clean water, and a more resilient planet. When you care for soil in small, intentional ways, you’re contributing to a global effort already underway: transforming damaged earth back into thriving, productive ground that sustains both people and nature.
FAQs About Saline Agriculture
Q: What is saline agriculture?
A: Saline agriculture is a method of farming that embraces, rather than fights, salt in the soil and water. It uses salt-tolerant crops, improved irrigation techniques, and natural soil restoration methods to grow food in areas once considered too salty or barren. This approach helps keep land productive, conserves freshwater, and supports global food security.
Q: Why is soil salinity such a serious problem?
A: When salts build up in soil, they block plants from taking in water and nutrients. This leads to stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and eventually crop failure. Salinization affects 16.6 million square kilometers of land worldwide and continues to spread due to rising sea levels, poor irrigation practices, and excessive groundwater use. Without intervention, it threatens both food supplies and ecosystems.
Q: Which crops thrive under salty conditions?
A: Many traditional crops struggle with salt, but others actually thrive. Barley, beets, rye, quinoa, and asparagus are examples of salt-tolerant plants that perform well in moderately saline soils. Even some ornamentals — like lavender and rosemary — handle mild salt exposure. These species help keep land productive while restoring the soil’s natural balance.
Q: How does saline agriculture help conserve freshwater?
A: Traditional farming depends heavily on clean freshwater, which is becoming scarce. Saline farming uses brackish or slightly salty water instead, reducing the demand for freshwater in agriculture. This makes more clean water available for drinking, sanitation, and natural ecosystems — while keeping food production sustainable in dry and coastal regions.
Q: Can these methods be used outside large farms?
A: Absolutely. The same principles that guide global saline agriculture — testing soil, adding gypsum, maintaining steady moisture, and growing salt-tolerant plants — apply to home gardens and community plots. Even small changes, like using organic mulch or rotating hardy plants, help heal soil and prevent future salt damage. Every step contributes to restoring the earth’s natural fertility and strengthening food resilience worldwide.
