The social, economic, and ecological benefit of deserticulture in Ningxia

Ningxia is one of the most serious desertification regions in China and remain relatively underdeveloped in terms of economy and social development. In the process of combating land desertification, a new mechanism was established in 1990s, socalled governmental guiding, projects motivating, market orientation and enterprises and the whole society participating. The local government promotes the role of the typical model of radiation effects. A policy vigorously favors desert sunlight greenhouses, Chinese herbs planting, and sowing watermelon on pressure sand. Ecological improvement and favorable mechanism made the Ningxia province became the first province where sandified and desertified lands became smaller. The deserticulture in Ningxia showed that the effective combination of ecological restoration and economic development, as well as ecological compensation can achieve positive interaction with natural environment, social economy and escape the poverty trap. Deserticulture brought economic benefit and ecological benefit, promoted the local people's enthusiasm of environment resource protection. The deserticulture in Ningxia provides beneficial experience to other povertystricken areas and countries.