Facing years of drought and scorching summers, Tunisian wheat farmer Hasan Chetoui is turning to an age-old solution: planting traditional wheat varieties.
Chetoui’s farm lies in Borj Al-Amri, a region that once fed civilizations like ancient Rome and Carthage. However, climate change has brought harsh realities, with empty reservoirs, dried crops, and extreme heat.
Hoping to break free from dependence on a single, vulnerable summer harvest, Chetoui is experimenting with older wheat varieties. These, he believes, might offer some yield even in bad years, allowing him to adapt to the changing climate.
While some agricultural experts are skeptical, citing lower yields compared to modern varieties, others acknowledge the potential of these older seeds in specific conditions. They see Chetoui’s experiment as valuable, urging further exploration.
Chetoui’s passion for preserving traditional seeds goes beyond wheat. He actively seeks out old corn and barley varieties, using seeds passed down through generations in his family. He also collaborates with the Tunisian seed gene bank and other farmers to collect and share these precious seeds.
“Original seeds are deeply rooted in nature and the land,” says Hussein al-Rhaili, an agriculture policy expert. “They have the ability to adapt, offering a potential solution to the challenges we face.”
Chetoui’s story is a testament to the resilience of farmers and their willingness to explore new avenues, even if they lie in the distant past. His experiment holds the promise of not only securing his own future but also contributing to broader solutions for food security in the face of climate change.
