KAUST Professor Salim Al-Babili has received a Phase III grant from the Gates Foundation, bringing the Foundation's total investment in his research on the parasitic weed Striga to over $11 million in less than 10 years. The funding will support Al-Babili's efforts to develop sustainable and affordable solutions to combat Striga, a major threat to global food security that causes $7 billion in annual crop losses. Al-Babili's research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of Striga germination and developing innovative control strategies such as suicidal germination. Why it matters: This continued support from the Gates Foundation underscores the importance of addressing global food security challenges and contributing to sustainable agriculture in arid regions, including Saudi Arabia.
KAUST Professor Salim Al-Babili is working to improve crop performance and nutritional value, with a focus on pearl millet. He received a $5 million grant from the Gates Foundation in 2018 to combat the parasitic plant Striga hermonthica, which causes billions in losses annually in Sub-Saharan Africa. His team is developing hormone-based strategies to protect pearl millet from Striga infestation, a project spanning lab research to field trials in Saudi Arabia and Africa. Why it matters: This research addresses critical food security challenges in both Africa and the Middle East by developing practical tools for smallholder farmers, bridging the gap between lab discoveries and real-world applications.
KAUST postdoctoral fellow Muhammad Jamil won the best poster award at the 15th World Congress on Parasitic Plants for his research on combating the parasitic plant *Striga hermonthica*. His poster outlined his work at KAUST on developing technologies to help farmers in sub-Saharan Africa control this weed, which severely impacts cereal crops. Jamil is part of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-funded project at KAUST focused on controlling *Striga* in pearl millet. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's contributions to addressing critical food security challenges in Africa through innovative agricultural technologies.
KAUST has inaugurated the Center for Desert Agriculture (CDA) to focus on research and real-world solutions for local, regional, and global agriculture. Professor Rod Wing will lead the CDA, focusing on crop plant variation, while Professor Mark Tester will serve as associate director, continuing his work on salt tolerance in crops. Other professors, such as Salim Al-Babili and Heribert Hirt, will continue their research into areas including combating parasitic weeds and global food security. Why it matters: The center's focus on desert agriculture and food security addresses critical regional and global imperatives, aligning with Saudi Arabia's broader goals of sustainable development and innovation in food production.
KAUST Associate Professor Salim Al-Babili and his team have been awarded an approximately $5 million grant by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The grant will support the development of strategies to combat the parasitic purple witchweed (Striga hermonthica), which threatens food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Al-Babili's project will focus on protecting pearl millet production through hormone-based soil cleansing, novel chemistries, and identifying genetic factors for resistance. Why it matters: This grant enables KAUST to contribute significantly to addressing food security challenges in Africa and the Middle East by tackling a pervasive parasitic plant, demonstrating the university's commitment to translating research into real-world impact.
KAUST has received a $1.5 million grant from the Gates Foundation to research methods for eradicating the Striga hermonthica weed, also known as "witchweed". This parasitic plant devastates crops in sub-Saharan Africa by depleting water and nutrients, with the project led by Dr. Salim Al-Babili focusing on pearl millet. The research will involve collaboration with universities in Burkina Faso, Japan, and the Netherlands to identify biological compounds and low-cost methods for Striga control. Why it matters: Addressing Striga infestations is crucial for enhancing food security and supporting the livelihoods of millions of farmers in Africa and the Middle East who rely on crops like pearl millet.
Professor Heribert Hirt has been appointed as the new Director of KAUST's Center for Desert Agriculture, succeeding Dr. Nina Fedoroff. Professor Mark Tester will assume the role of Associate Director, concentrating on desert agriculture and translational research. Dr. Salim Al-Babili will chair the newly established Plant Sciences program focusing on arid environments. Why it matters: These leadership changes signal KAUST's continued investment in agricultural research and development tailored to challenging desert conditions.
Professor Salim Al-Babili from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has received the prestigious Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation. His research focuses on plant growth regulators and their applications to improve crop resilience and production in arid and semi-arid regions. The award recognized his discoveries in enhancing plant performance and adaptation to environmental stresses like heat and drought. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's contributions to sustainable agriculture and aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 goals for strengthening food security in challenging environments.