Uganda is edging closer to a major agricultural breakthrough as scientists finalise testing of new homegrown aromatic rice varieties designed to replace imported Basmati and Supa rice. The move is expected to boost farmer incomes, strengthen food security and reduce the country’s rice import bill. The new varieties, developed by the National Agricultural Research Organisation (Naro) with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), are currently undergoing advanced performance and quality testing ahead of official release by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (Maaif) and the National Variety Release Committee.
Mr Jimmy Lamo, a rice breeder and Cereals Programme Leader at Naro, says driven by soaring consumer demand for aromatic rice, the initiative seeks to provide Ugandan farmers with high-yielding, disease-resistant alternatives that match imported rice in aroma, grain quality and cooking characteristics. ‘These aromatic varieties dominate the market, but the ones currently grown in Uganda are highly susceptible to diseases and give low yields, now we have developed improved lines using resistant parent seeds, and they are under advanced testing across six locations, including the Doho Irrigation Scheme here in Butaleja,’ he says
Dr Lamo says farmers, millers and other value-chain actors are actively participating in cooking and milling evaluations to ensure the new varieties meet market preferences before approval.
‘We want varieties that farmers can grow profitably and that consumers will prefer. That is why value-chain actors are involved in the final assessments,’ he says
He adds that the ECO-PRiDe project, now in its second year of implementation, is a five-year initiative funded by JICA and implemented by Naro in collaboration with national and local partners. The project aligns with Naro’s Strategic Plan 2025-2030, particularly the goal of building climate-resilient and market-oriented agricultural systems. Dr. Titus Alicai, Director of Research at the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) and National Project Coordinator for ECO-PRiDe, says the project goes beyond varietal development to address environmental sustainability.
Zero harm
‘We want to increase rice production without harming the environment, while improving incomes for rural farmers .This includes producing high-quality seed, strengthening farmer knowledge on sustainable cultivation practices and improving efficiency along the entire rice value chain,’ he adds He explains that the project is developing an evidence-based blueprint for increasing productivity while reducing the environmental footprint associated with rice farming, particularly water use and chemical inputs.
‘Providing the international perspective,Japan’s long history in rice production is informing Uganda’s transformation journey.We are leveraging Japan’s more than 2,000 years of experience in rice production to enhance both productivity and sustainability in Uganda,’ he says He adds that more importantly, they are ensuring last-mile delivery by bringing quality seed, disease control knowledge and sustainable cultural practices directly to farmers. He also reveals that the project is supporting young Ugandan researchers to pursue advanced studies at Japanese universities, strengthening long-term research capacity.
Mr. Nasser Kasozi, Director of Research at BugiZARDI, said farmers at the Doho Rice Scheme are already embracing improved technologies introduced through the project. ‘Many farmers here have adopted improved agronomic practices, and we are seeing better productivity,’ Mr. Kasozi says. He adds that the project is piloting rice-fish integration technologies, where nutrient-rich fish pond water is used to enhance rice growth, providing both food and income diversification for rural households.
‘We are also developing a cropping calendar to improve water-use efficiency and stabilize yields,’ he noted. During a field inspection at the Doho Irrigation Scheme, members of the Joint Technical Committee observed promising performance of the new aromatic rice lines alongside farmer-centered innovations.
With the release of the new varieties imminent, stakeholders believe Uganda is steadily positioning itself toward a more competitive, productive and sustainable rice sectorone capable of reducing reliance on imports while meeting growing domestic demand.
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With the release of the new varieties imminent, stakeholders believe Uganda is steadily positioning itself toward a more competitive, productive and sustainable rice sectorone capable of reducing reliance on imports while meeting growing domestic demand.