Deserts in China, especially in the west, are a big problem due to their wide distribution and large area. Restoring the environment is difficult once it's damaged. Controlling desertification is crucial for sustainable development in the west. A new method combines participatory rural appraisal with technology to control desertification. Focusing on community development alongside desertification control improves the effectiveness of control efforts. The article uses the example of Minqin Gansu province to show how this new method can be used in desertification control.