Aseer Millet Cultivation Drives Modern Food Security

 Aseer Region remains a stronghold for traditional rain-fed agriculture in Saudi Arabia, with millet emerging as a vital "crop of the future." Renowned for its high adaptability to climate change and water scarcity, millet is a cornerstone of sustainable food security, requiring minimal water and few chemical inputs compared to other staples.
 Deeply rooted in Aseer’s heritage, millet is historically linked to rural life and traditional cuisine. Today, across approximately 80 hectares of small family farms, local growers continue to use ancestral seasonal knowledge—planting after spring rains and harvesting by mid-fall—to preserve the crop's biodiversity and economic viability for small-scale farmers.
 As a drought-resistant and environmentally friendly crop, millet offers an ideal model for subsistence farming in mountainous areas. By maintaining these traditional practices, Aseer not only preserves its cultural identity but also provides a sustainable solution to modern global environmental and food challenges.