Morocco develops three new heat- and drought-resistant durum varieties

Moroccan and international researchers have completed a seven-year program to develop new durum wheat varieties capable of withstanding extreme heat and prolonged drought while maintaining high yields. The initiative is expected to help the country adapt its agricultural sector to climate change and strengthen food security.

The three new varieties — Jawahir, Nacht and Sabil — were developed by Morocco’s National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) in cooperation with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). According to the researchers, Jawahir delivers high yields under arid conditions, Nacht adapts well to a wide range of growing environments, while Sabil combines drought tolerance with high grain quality.

The research phase has now been completed. Sabil has already been officially registered in Morocco’s National Catalogue of Plant Species and Varieties, while Jawahir and Nacht are undergoing seed multiplication and are expected to become commercially available to farmers in 2027–2028.

Researchers say the first on-farm trials have delivered encouraging results. The new wheat varieties are expected to help farmers better cope with increasingly frequent droughts and improve the resilience of wheat production in Morocco.

Tags: drought, Morocco, wheat