Students from Rojava University Agricultural Engineering participate at 1st Wheat Festival

Considering the wheat to be one of the most strategic crops in the region, the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering of Rojava University made an essential contribution to the First Wheat Festival organized at the stadium 12 March in Qamishlo on July 29, 2026. Three projects were presented in science and practice concerning the cultivation and improvement of wheat production.

The faculty's exhibition featured scale models of agricultural machinery used in wheat cultivation and harvesting, alongside a scientific presentation on the major diseases affecting wheat crops and methods of controlling them. It also introduced a wheat breeding project aimed at developing new varieties with enhanced resistance to diseases and climatic conditions, while achieving higher yields and improved grain quality.

Addressing ANHA agency, Belmez Haidar, a faculty member at the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, stated, "Participation in this festival is an indication of the significance of wheat as a strategic crop. Since we are preparing the agricultural engineers for the future, we were eager to display three scientific projects during the festival."

She added: "The first project involved the models of machinery employed in the process of planting and harvesting wheat. The second was related to the most dangerous diseases that may attack wheat plants, whereas the third project included the breeding program for both types of wheat, namely, durum and soft wheat, especially Syrian and Egyptian cultivars."

Haidar noted that the faculty's participation aimed to bring research findings from the university's laboratories to the wider community, while raising public awareness of the importance of scientific research and its contribution to agricultural development.

For her part, Agricultural Engineering student Jwana Oso said: "I participated in the wheat breeding section, where we worked on crossing three varieties, one Syrian and two Egyptian, with the objective of developing a variety capable of withstanding diseases and climate change, thereby contributing to increased wheat production."

She added that, over the past few years, the research team has successfully developed 15 hybrid wheat lines, which are currently undergoing evaluation to identify the most promising varieties for cultivation in the region.

Meanwhile, student Simav Mohammed explained that their participation focused on presenting research findings on the most significant diseases affecting wheat crops, as well as methods for diagnosing and managing them. She emphasized that the festival provided an important opportunity to connect scientific research with the practical needs of the agricultural community.

Simav also expressed her delight at participating in Qamishlo's first Wheat Festival, noting that wheat forms an integral part of the region's identity and that improving its production is a shared responsibility for agricultural engineering students and researchers alike.

The First Festival of Wheat, which was held by the Agricultural Scientific Research Center for Innovation and Excellence in the stadium of 12 March in Qamishlo, was the first event of its kind in al-Jazira region. The festival received wide participation from governmental departments and societies, in addition to the general public. The event included artistic shows and special displays showing the stages of cultivation of wheat, wheat-made products, and the rich cultural background related to the plant. At the end of the event, there were calls for holding the festival annually in celebration of wheat and the agricultural background of the region.

ANHA