by PressHigh-yield millet and sorghum to be grown in Saudi Arabia
ICRISAT experts adapt millet and sorghum for production in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia places great importance on developing its agricultural sector. Experts are focusing their efforts on expanding the variety of cereal crops. As a result, high-yielding millet and sorghum are now available in the country.
The project to transform the rainfed cereal sector is being implemented in collaboration with ICRISAT, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the local Ministry of Agriculture. This initiative forms part of the Saudi Reef sustainable development programme. Thanks to this partnership, nine improved varieties of sorghum and millet have emerged in Saudi Arabia. ICRISAT specialists have developed a particularly noteworthy variety: ICSR 14001 sorghum. It is ideal for cultivation in arid climates. These varieties include both dual-purpose crops and fodder crops.
ICSR 14001 is already widely cultivated in Saudi Arabia. Local farmers note the variety’s high productivity and disease resistance. Partners have conducted a large-scale campaign to promote this grain. Representatives of ICRISAT and FAO visited major producers to introduce them to new sorghum cultivation methods.
These meetings were useful not only for the farmers. Researchers also obtained valuable information on the challenges and opportunities of producing sorghum, millet and sesame. They are continuing to work on increasing the yield of these crops in the country’s arid regions.
Advantages of ICSR 14001
The ICSR 14001 variety bears the name ‘Mojan’ in Saudi Arabia. It has produced excellent results in research and field trials. Farmers value it for the following qualities:
1. The variety’s productivity exceeds that of sorghum traditionally grown in the country.
2. Mojan is distinguished by its high grain quality.
3. It provides improved biomass characteristics.
4. The ICSR 14001 variety contains a variety of nutrients.
5. It adapts well to arid climates.
Mojan is already widely used in agriculture in many countries in the Middle East and North Africa, particularly in arid regions.
Another notable advantage of Mojan is its dual purpose. It serves both as a food source and as animal feed. This makes it in demand in remote communities.
Alongside introducing improved varieties of sorghum and millet, the government initiative aims to modernise the agricultural sector. To this end, innovative technologies are being introduced to automate a number of processes. Additionally, experts are teaching farmers new farming methods to increase overall productivity. So far, 90 local producers have received training in crop optimisation, soil enrichment, and protecting plants against pests. Farmers have also been introduced to new irrigation systems and grain planting methods.