Arua | The National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), in collaboration with the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA), is conducting research on suitable rice varieties and technologies for rice farming.
Once implemented, researchers believe it will reverse the effects of climate change caused by wetland degradation in Uganda.
This five-year Promotion of Sustainable Rice Farming Development-Eco-PRiDe Project, which runs from June 1, 2024 to March 31, 2029 and is funded by the Japan International Corporation Agency – JICA, aims to develop eco-friendly rice farming technologies based on scientific evidence and to demonstrate the economic viability of rice farming in Uganda.
Emmanuel Ogwal, rice desk officer for the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries, and Fisheries’ Promotion of Sustainable Rice Farming Development – Eco-PRiDe Project, explains that the research aims to develop 25 breeder seed varieties and 11 basic seed varieties that are high yielding rice varieties for all consumers.
In addition, the study will identify appropriate land types, develop technologies to be implemented, and develop methods for enhancing soil fertility for rice production in Uganda.
There will be local seed producers and suppliers at the regional level, as well as marketing links and other mechanisms.
“This research will help us establish the level of degradation of wetlands caused by rice production in waterlogged areas to guide the country in deriving better means of solutions of improving rice production,” he stresses.
In 2021, the Ugandan government prohibited the cultivation of rice and other crops in wetlands in order to protect them from degradation. At the time, the National Environment Management Authority reported a sharp decline in wetland coverage, from 15.5% in 1994 to 8.9% in 2022 due to encroachment.
Dr. Emmanuel Odama, senior research officer at the National Agricultural Research Organization based at the AbiZARD Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute, explains that the promotion of Eco-PRiDe is aimed at addressing the challenge.
Odama explained that they are promoting some rice varieties, including Narica, which grow well in upland areas but are being met with resistance from farmers because consumers dislike the lack of aroma.
“The unreliable rainfall is the biggest hindrance to our farmers, rice is a water loving crop, therefore any undertaking in rice farming is dependent on the timing of rains and our ecology being the upland rice growing ecology means if the farmers delay their activities right from land preparation affects the whole value chain.
“On the other hand, the challenge of access to quality seed is been addressed through Narica promotion project, Eco-PRiDe 1 and 2 which is producing a very good viable seeds in the growing community,” Odama explained
The Promotion of Sustainable Rice Farming Development Project is being piloted in the West Nile sub-region’s five districts: Koboko, Yumbe, Maracha, Nebbi Municipality, and Madi-Okollo.
Robina Opiru, the agricultural officer of Oleba sub-county in Maracha district, says the intervention is timely because farmers are almost giving up on producing water-loving crops due to the massive enforcement of the National Environment Act 2019, which prohibits destructive human activities in wetlands.
“Most farmers hear super rice, they’re after the aroma not knowing that it only grows better in the low land, like swamps. They said if you plant rice in wetlands or waterlogged areas they get high yields than planting in upland areas,” Opiru stated
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries, and Fisheries, Uganda’s government recognizes rice as a priority and strategic crop with the potential to improve food security and incomes for approximately 400,000 smallholder farmers through an annual increase in rice production of 7.33% on average.
However, the country’s current rice productivity is lower than its potential, with lowland and upland variety yields falling by about 45% and 67%, respectively, while rice demand is estimated at 230,000 metric tonnes and 383,000 metric tonnes for milled rice and paddy rice.
