The tech on this just keeps getting closer to economic feasability. Think of the amazing progress that has come in the last 60 years (we have gone to almost NO ONE in dire poverty, vs the majority in dire poverty), and then think what would become of things if huge swathes of desert became arable.
Paul Ehrlich must be having conniptions.
Huge swaths of desert becoming arable would be incredible for many people. However, we MUST consider the destruction of that habitat for the sand dune lizard, the lesser subsahara dung beetle, and the thorny bramble berry bush. Eco warriors will have a field day.