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In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the modified sorghum variety ICSR 14001, developed by the organization ICRISAT, is gaining popularity. The local name of the variety is "Mojan," which translates to "Wave" in Arabic, symbolizing the radical changes that bring increased efficiency, resilience, and new hope for agricultural communities.
In light of this, ICRISAT, FAO, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conducted a two-week familiarization trip from April 15 to 26, 2025, to boost pearl millet production. The program attracted researchers, extension agents, and farmers from Saudi Arabia who visited the headquarters of ICRISAT in Hyderabad for knowledge exchange, learning about advanced agricultural technologies, and developing the potential of grain production in arid regions, including sorghum, pearl millet, and sesame.
One of the key highlights was the presentation of the field trial results of the Mojan variety (ICSR 14001) to Saudi farmers and stakeholders. They reported that the variety showed outstanding results in field conditions in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. It consistently outperforms local varieties in yield, grain quality, and biomass. Recognized for its nutrient-rich profile and ability to thrive in the challenging climatic conditions of the Middle East and North Africa, the ICSR 14001 variety is hailed as a game-changer setting new standards in agriculture on arid lands in the region.
One Saudi farmer, Hassan Habibi, explained the significance of the name Mojan for the sorghum variety ICSR 14001: "When the wind sways the sorghum plants, it gives the impression of a sea wave moving across the field. That's why we called it Mojan and will preserve this name for all our regions."
Dr. Stanford Blade, Deputy Director-General for Research and Innovation at ICRISAT, noted another important advantage of this variety: its dual purpose. He said, "Besides grains, the high forage value of the ICSR 14001 variety supports the livelihoods of communities in remote areas. The success of the Mojan variety is a path to transforming agriculture in arid regions, especially in countries of the Middle East and North Africa."
Farmers in Saudi Arabia are increasingly seeking improved varieties of agricultural crops that meet their food, fodder, and mechanized harvesting needs. To meet this evolving demand, Dr. Ephrem Habiyarimana, the lead sorghum breeder at ICRISAT, stated that they are ready to provide improved sorghum and pearl millet varieties adapted to Saudi Arabia's conditions. He also highlighted that over 90 farmers have already undergone training in crop production and protection, soil health, irrigation management, and seed systems for further scaling up. Additionally, incorporating the Arabic language into the digital catalog and the Plantix app helps farmers effectively deal with pests and diseases.
Dr. Abdullah Alhendi, a national cereals specialist from FAO in Saudi Arabia, expressed approval of the collaboration, noting the strategic alignment between Saudi Arabia's agricultural goals and ICRISAT's expertise in arid lands. He said, "ICRISAT has been the perfect partner for realizing Saudi Arabia's vision for sustainable agriculture in arid lands. The success of this project has been outstanding and stands out as one of the best joint projects in the Kingdom. We have built a solid foundation that opens doors to work in key areas such as water management and post-harvest management."
From left to right: Dr. Ephrem Habiyarimana, Dr. Rajan Sharma, Dr. Stanford Blade, Dr. Abdullah Alhendi (FAO - Saudi Arabia), and Dr. Padmaja Ravula.
The collaboration between ICRISAT-FAO-KSA under the Saudi Reef program is yielding significant successes in pearl millet production. Introducing the sorghum variety ICSR 14001, or Mojan, is not just about disseminating an improved variety; it symbolizes innovation, resilience, and shared success. This collaboration promises to have a long-term impact on food security and sustainable livelihoods not only in Saudi Arabia but also in the Middle East and North Africa.
