Since helping to first sequence the genome of quinoa five years ago, Brigham Young University researchers are developing new protein-rich quinoa varieties that are heat tolerant, salt-tolerant, and can grow in very dry conditions. BYU faculty and students are currently working on quinoa research projects in 18 countries. Quinoa is often called a "miracle grain" because it is rich in protein, dietary fiber, and B vitamins, and can be grown in parts of the developing world where other protein sources are unavailable.
“The quinoa doesn’t need a lot of water to grow, it’s very resistant, very rich in protein and very good for Morocco,” said Asmaa Allaoui, a Ph.D. student and collaborator at the Institut Agronomique et Veterinaire Hassan II in Rabat, Morocco.