TAAT e-catalog
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https://e-catalogs.taat-africa.org/org/technologies/heat-and-drought-tolerant-wheat-varieties
Wheat cultivation in high temperature regions
The Heat and Drought Tolerant Wheat Varieties mature within 90 days, faster than many traditional varieties. They can withstand temperatures that are 4°C higher than normal and show 75% of their yield potential under extreme conditions of less than 200mm of moisture and heat stress. These varieties are resistant to diseases and pests like yellow stem rust and have high water use efficiency, making them suitable for regions with limited water resources. They also have good bread-making quality with 14-15% protein content. These traits make these varieties particularly suited for challenging growing conditions, such as those found in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.
This technology is TAAT1 validated.
Adults 18 and over: Positive high
These wheat varieties offer more reliable crop yields, securing livelihoods for adults who depend on agriculture for income, even under extreme weather conditions.
The poor: Positive medium
Poor communities, particularly in regions facing food scarcity, gain access to affordable, locally-produced wheat, reducing reliance on expensive imports and improving overall food availability.
Under 18: Positive low
The increased food production from resilient wheat varieties improves access to nutritious food, which is crucial for the growth and development of children in drought-prone regions.
Women: Positive low
Women, especially those in rural areas, benefit from improved food security and reduced household vulnerability, as they often manage household nutrition and contribute significantly to farming activities.
Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable
The Heat and Drought Tolerant Wheat Varieties reduce environmental strain by using water more efficiently, minimizing the need for irrigation, and lowering chemical inputs.
Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement
By adapting to extreme weather conditions, these wheat varieties enhance agricultural resilience to climate change, helping to stabilize food production in vulnerable regions.
Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity
The resistance to pests and diseases decreases reliance on chemical pesticides, promoting biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems and protecting beneficial organisms.
Carbon footprint: Much less carbon released
Improved yields from these varieties can lead to less land being needed for wheat production, potentially reducing deforestation and lowering the overall carbon footprint of agricultural practices.
Environmental health: Greatly improves environmental health
Soil quality: Does not affect soil health and fertility
By reducing the need for chemical inputs, these varieties help maintain soil health and prevent degradation, fostering a more balanced ecosystem.
Water use: Much less water used
These wheat varieties require less water for growth, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and conserving vital water resources in arid regions.
Heat Tolerance: These varieties can thrive in environments with temperatures 4°C higher than what traditional wheat can tolerate. This is critical for areas experiencing rising temperatures due to climate change.
Drought Resistance: They can grow with minimal water, performing well with less than 200mm of rainfall. This makes them suitable for arid and semi-arid regions where water scarcity is a major issue.
Increased Yields: Farmers can achieve up to 6 tons per hectare, which is a significant increase compared to conventional varieties. This boost in productivity helps improve food security and farmers' incomes.
Expanded Cultivation Areas: These wheat varieties are suitable for cultivation in regions that were previously not viable for wheat farming due to high temperatures and low rainfall. This expansion can help increase overall wheat production and make more land usable for agriculture.
A Solution for Wheat Farming in Africa
This technology addresses key challenges in wheat production, including heat stress, drought, and limited water availability. In 2019/20 Sudan reported a record bumper harvest of 1.1 million tons of wheat reaching a wheat sufficiency of about 50%. These varieties mature within 90 days, faster than traditional wheat, ensuring a quicker harvest in challenging environments.
They support several Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 2 by improving food security through enhanced yields, SDG 13 by promoting climate resilience, and SDG 6 by improving water use efficiency.
As part of the Wheat Innovation Toolkit, these varieties work in synergy with other technologies like Conservation Agriculture Solutions to optimize production under harsh conditions. Together, they enhance the resilience and sustainability of wheat farming, particularly in regions vulnerable to climate change, such as many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Heat and grought tolerant wheat varieties have been introduced in Sudan, Tanzania, and Ethiopia through the Sudan Emergency Wheat Production Project (SEWPP), Tanzania – Agriculture Inputs Support Project and the Ethiopia - Climate Resilient Wheat Value Chain Development Project (CREW), funded by the African Development Bank.
This technology is ideal for development programs focused on improving food security, farmer incomes, and sustainability. With partnerships from organizations like ICARDA, it provides technical support and ensures successful implementation for wheat farmers across Africa.
increase in yield
Planting rate
Unknown
| Country | Testing ongoing | Tested | Adopted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burkina Faso | –No ongoing testing | Tested | Adopted |
| Eritrea | –No ongoing testing | Tested | Adopted |
| Ethiopia | –No ongoing testing | Tested | Adopted |
| Kenya | –No ongoing testing | Tested | Adopted |
| Malawi | –No ongoing testing | Tested | Adopted |
| Mali | –No ongoing testing | Tested | Adopted |
| Niger | –No ongoing testing | Tested | Adopted |
| Nigeria | –No ongoing testing | Tested | Adopted |
| Senegal | –No ongoing testing | Tested | Adopted |
| Sudan | –No ongoing testing | Tested | Adopted |
| Zambia | –No ongoing testing | Tested | Adopted |
This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.
| AEZ | Subtropic - warm | Subtropic - cool | Tropic - warm | Tropic - cool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arid | ||||
| Semiarid | – | – | ||
| Subhumid | – | – | – | – |
| Humid | – | – | – | – |
Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.
The introduction of drought-tolerant wheat varieties boosts food production, improving food security and nutritional quality for communities facing food scarcity.
The resilience of these wheat varieties to extreme weather conditions supports adaptation efforts to climate change, contributing to global climate action initiatives.
Improved crop yields and income stability from these varieties contribute to poverty alleviation by enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in vulnerable regions.
By empowering women farmers with reliable crop yields and improved food security, this technology supports gender equality and strengthens women’s roles in agriculture.
Heat and drought tolerant wheat varieties replace traditional wheat seed varieties.
They are cultivated on farmer fields using:
Last updated on 11 December 2024
This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones.
Heat and Drought Tolerant Wheat Varieties
https://e-catalogs.taat-africa.org/org/technologies/heat-and-drought-tolerant-wheat-varieties
Last updated on 11 December 2024, printed on 19 December 2024
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