![]() Viaspace, a company that grows giant king grass in 11 locations in eight countries on four continents, has relied on Bachie's research for establishing its plantings in the Imperial Valley. “We do research for industries, companies and growers as long as they provide funding and if we believe that the outcome of the research benefits our clientele and the local economy,” he explained. Two companies provided Bachie with funding to conduct the research. “Giant king grass and Rhodes grass were brought to my attention by companies who wanted me to test their adaptability, biomass yield and nutrition as livestock feed,” Bachie said. “My findings proved that they indeed adapt and produce high biomass and were nutritionally competent or better than many of the low desert grown grass forage crops.” ![]() Workers harvest giant king grass in August 2017. Rhodes grass, giant king grass, quinoa and teff are among the crops Bachie has been studying since he joined UC Agriculture and Natural Resources in 2012. UC Cooperative Extension research into new crops provides growers with information that can lower the risk of trying something new. The wide array of agricultural products keep California farmers competitive in the global market. More than 400 different crops and animals are commercially produced in California. Now, carrying the mantle of Ph.D., the UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor is doing research to help California farmers take advantage of new opportunities for economic growth. His path to a better life passed through the Philippines and Canada before reaching the United States. While herding goats along dusty roads as a boy growing up in Oromia, Ethiopia, Oli Bachie began striving to improve his economic position in life. Oli Bachie, “person of the globe,” researches new desert crops to spur economic growth ![]() Oli Bachie, shown in a forage sorghum trial field, researches new crops for Imperial County farmers to grow in the low desert.
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