Jeddah: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). This partnership aims to enhance scientific cooperation to improve climate-resilient crops within the Kingdom.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the collaboration aligns with national efforts to bolster food security in response to global food system challenges. These challenges include climate change, the spread of pests and diseases, and rising food demand. The partnership also supports the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Agriculture Strategy, which emphasize improving sector efficiency and developing innovative solutions for sustainable food supplies, particularly in environments characterized by arid conditions and high temperatures.

The MoU focuses on combining CIMMYT’s expertise in developing maize and wheat varieties with KAUST’s advanced research capabilities in genomics, bioinformatics, and computational agriculture. The goal is to accelerate the development of high-yield, climate-adapted crop varieties that can withstand harsh environmental conditions.