SOLUTIONS FOR A DRYING WORLD
International company takes on new pilot projects in Yuma
After successfully completing its first project in Yuma, an international company is taking on more pilot programs for soil and water conservation in Arizona and California.
Desert Control, a Norwegian company, opened its first United States operational base in Yuma on Feb. 24, and has now announced new projects and a growing pipeline.
“Water risk is business risk for farmers and landowners, and solutions to conserve water while improving yields are vital to the future of agriculture,” Ole Kristian Sivertsen, president and CEO of Desert Control, told the Yuma Sun. “Yuma is at the forefront for pioneering solutions that will have global impact. We are proud to be part of this wonderful community.”
In a drying world, the company is working with farmers, growers and landowners facing soil erosion and degradation accelerated by drought and increasing water scarcity.
The company developed a liquid natural clay that improves sandy soil, reduces water usage and yields for agriculture and landscapes. Known by its initials, LNC is a completely natural
solution of clay and minerals nearly as thin as water “that can enable sand and degraded soil ecosystems to retain moisture and help farmers save up to
50% of their water, save fertilizers, energy and other inputs while improving productivity,” Siverstsen said.
After 12 years of research and development, followed by four years of testing in the United Arab Emirates, Desert Control
launched a five-year study with the University of Arizona at the Yuma County Cooperative Extension in March 2022.
Robert Masson, assistant agriculture extension agent, invited Desert Control to Yuma, pointing out that it has more than 4,000 sun hours per year and soil as sandy as any desert in the world. Masson noted that by acting as a neutral third party, the university is able to help provide testing
services and education both to the public and companies and organizations interested in this type of change.
Desert Control’s initial plan was to start commercial activities in the U.S. towards the end of 2023 based on results from the university study. However, the university project progressed significantly faster than expected, with results showing