| The cultivation of beans and sorghum is currently still not very widespread in the Alpine regions, but is gaining increasing interest – especially in the context of climate change, drought tolerance, and regional diversification. Due to its high drought tolerance, low input requirements, and short growing season, sorghum is a crop with high potential in the Alpine region as well. Beans are a high-quality source of plant protein, have a short growing season similar to that of millet, and contribute significantly to improving soil fertility through their symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Due to their adaptability to climatic challenges and resource efficiency, both crops offer ideal potential for diversified and climate-resilient agriculture. They also have great potential for the sustainable production of regional products, as they contribute to the resilience of agricultural systems to climatic fluctuations. The project involves variety trials to test the agronomic characteristics of both crops in the three project regions. In the case of sorghum, varieties that are specially adapted to the conditions of the Alpine region are being considered, as they flower early, ripen quickly, have a high yield potential, and are easy to process. In the case of beans, the focus is on variety testing for types that are particularly in demand by processors, such as kidney beans and small black beans. On the other hand, the influence of inoculation with rhizobia is being investigated. This aspect has not yet been sufficiently researched for cultivation in Central Europe and is often requested by consultants. The project is laying the necessary foundations for the successful harvesting, preparation, and processing of both crops in order to ensure the required qualities and to make the preparation processes effective and cost-efficient. The project is of great practical importance as it addresses key challenges facing agriculture in the temperate climate of Central Europe and develops concrete solutions for the successful cultivation of dry beans and sorghum for climate-resilient agriculture in the project regions. |