Mali is a Sahelian country in West Africa, characterized by a strong dependence on rain-fed agriculture and a low adaptive capacity, making it one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change worldwide. Moreover, most climate models used for the region recognize a growing uncertainty in the onset of the rainy season, which demands urgent adaptation measures. Early-season drought limits crops germination, and hence growth, and yield during rain-fed depending production as commonly experienced nowadays in Mali. Crops germination and establishment could be improved by using seed priming, a process through which dry seeds take up water to initiate the primary stages of germination. The effects of hydro-priming (distilled, tap, rain, river and well water) were evaluated for three priming durations (4, 8 and 12 hours) in 2014 and 2015. Seed germination and seedling development of nine sorghum genotypes were monitored. Compared to non-primed seed treatments, hydro-priming significantly improved final germination percentage, germination rate index, percentage of survival, total seedling length, root length, root vigor index, shoot length and seedling dry weight, Four out of the nine evaluated genotypes were attributed good seed quality and good response to hydro-priming. The priming with well and river water resulted in higher seed germination (85%) and seedling development, compared to the others sources of water. Seed germination rate, uniformity and speed were also enhanced by hydro-priming. It is argued that hydro-priming is an effective method for improving seed germination and seedling development of sorghum. In addition, hydro-priming is a safe and simple method to enhance germination. The most promising genotypes have consequently been included in consequent pot and field trials for further investigation.