Agricultural breakthrough achieved with new drought-resistant rice variety

NAJAF — Iraq has reached an agricultural milestone with the successful development of a new rice variety, “Al-Ghary,” which consumes less water while maintaining its aromatic flavor and high productivity. The breakthrough was achieved through crossbreeding two strains, Al-Furat and Anbar 33.

The Mishkhab Rice Research Station in Najaf, where this innovation was developed, reported that the “Al-Ghary” variety can be planted in August instead of June, saving about two months’ worth of water while being harvested at the same time as traditional varieties.

“Our researchers have developed new strains capable of resisting drought and addressing water scarcity,” said Abdul Kazem Jawad, Director of the Mishkhab Rice Research Station, speaking to 964media. “The Al-Ghary variety was officially registered and approved in the 2022 season. It combines the aromatic properties of Anbar 33 with the high yield of Al-Furat, producing over 2 tons per dunam [o.25 acres], a record compared to other local varieties.”

Jawad highlighted irrigation trials with Al-Ghary and Jasmine rice varieties using sprinkler systems, which showed promising results. “Sprinkler irrigation reduced water consumption by 70% compared to traditional flood irrigation methods,” he explained.

In addition to Al-Ghary, the station has introduced two new genetic strains for approval this year, specifically developed for late planting seasons and tested across three locations.

Kazem Hadi, Chief Engineer at the station, told 964media about the meticulous process behind these advancements: “We selected and cultivated promising strains from last year, planting them in rows to identify plants with desired traits upon maturity. Through continuous crossbreeding, we have developed drought-tolerant, high-yielding varieties that perform well under salinity and water scarcity conditions.”

Hadi added that varieties like Al-Ghary and Dijla have proven highly productive, rivaling popular strains like Jasmine and Anbar. “These new varieties have gained significant interest from farmers due to their financial returns and ability to thrive under challenging environmental conditions,” he noted.