Research Center in Koya produces winter wheat

KOYA, ERBIL, January 6 — The Wheat Research Center in Koya conducted an inaugural wheat harvest yesterday after an experiment involving the cultivation of 11 wheat varieties over 12 years.

Fahmi Salih, the director of the center, speaking to 964media, explained the extensive 12-year testing period, cautioning that the viability of each variety awaits the release of results, though the recently harvested wheat holds promise for potential success. If successful, this could enable the cultivation of wheat twice annually.

While acknowledging the potential advantages, Salih clarified that the guidelines for cultivating this winter wheat differ significantly from those employed in conventional winter-to-summer wheat cycles.

The center had previously introduced two novel wheat varieties, officially registered with the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture, in March of 2023.