by PressJawahir durum wheat will help solve the problem of drought in Morocco
Jawahir durum wheat adapts to moisture deficiency
In recent years, drought has become a major problem for the agricultural sector in many countries. Morocco is no exception. Abnormally high temperatures and a lack of rainfall have led to lower crop yields. To improve the situation, breeders have developed a new variety of wheat. Their Jawahir durum wheat will ensure high production volumes despite the drought.
The problem relevance
Morocco has been suffering from a lack of moisture for several years. Rain usually arrives at the beginning of winter. However, during the 2024–2025 season, it was delayed by almost two months. Consequently, crop quality has significantly declined, particularly in the southern regions.
There are serious concerns about the durum wheat harvest, which is the country’s primary grain crop. Durum wheat is essential for producing couscous, bread, and pasta, which form the basis of the local population’s diet. High wheat consumption is a traditional feature of North Africa. Wheat is a source of calories and protein, ensuring food security.
Although Moroccan farmers have adapted to the dry climate for a long time, the situation has deteriorated significantly over the past decade. Precipitation levels continue to decline, and even regions previously considered optimal for wheat cultivation are experiencing falling yields.
Variety characteristics
To support the agricultural sector, scientists developed a new variety of durum wheat called Jawahir. Jawahir is based on genes from the species Triticum araraticum from Iran, considered the ancestor of modern durum wheat. INRA (the National Institute for Agricultural Research in Morocco) developed the variety. After more than ten years of work, scientists presented the Jawahir variety to the public in 2023 following a series of successful trials.
The creation of this variety is important not only for Morocco but also for the global agricultural sector. The Crop Trust, an international organization funded by the Norwegian government, also participated in the project. According to its representatives, developing sustainable crops strengthens global food security and promotes biodiversity.
Benjamin Kilian of the Crop Trust emphasizes the importance of wild varieties for industry development. Throughout hundreds of years, these varieties have survived and adapted to various climatic conditions. Their genetic material will help create modern, drought-resistant varieties.
The development of Jawahir required a comprehensive approach:
1. Scientists selected wheat varieties containing wild grain genes and tested them.
2. These varieties underwent testing in research fields in Morocco.
3. By 2020, the researchers had identified the most promising options and shared them with farmers for trial cultivation.
4. Producers planted the samples in various regions of the country. Jawahir demonstrated the best yield results in drought conditions.
This new variety yielded approximately 1.5 tons per hectare. For comparison, standard grain varieties yield no more than one ton per hectare. These results confirm the advantages of cultivating Jawahir in extreme climatic conditions.