Dr. Yona Baguma, Director General of NARO, held discussions with Dr. Park Teason, the KOPIA Uganda Centre Director General. The two principals had these talks in the NARO secretariat boardroom alongside their technical staff.
The discussions were about how best to implement, monitor, and create a sustainable impact from the upcoming rice project with NARO. Dr. Baguma, in his opening remarks, gave an update on all the different interventions that the KOPIA Uganda Centre has been doing with NARO in the various research institutes across the country. The interventions are in the areas of potatoes, citrus, vegetables, and rice.
A number of NARO staff have also benefited from capacity development support, and some institutes have gotten infrastructural developments too. “For example NaCRRI got two screen houses.” He thanked the Korean people through KOPIA for the good working relationship and partnerships that are contributing to agricultural research and development.
Dr. Park, in his remarks, said he was glad that the DG NARO took time away from his busy schedule to meet him. He informed the meeting that the Korean government will support the rice project for the next five years to the tune of USD 6.4 million. “The project is to commence in 2024 and end in 2028. NARO is expected to contribute USD 500,000 through technical support, facilities, and services,” He said.
The rice project will be implemented in three phases: the first phase will focus on technology development, the next will be on-farm demonstrations, and the last phase will focus on capacity development.
The areas of quality seed production will be of focus, and there are seven African countries already identified for this: Uganda, Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal, and Guinea. The concept is already developed and ready for implementation.
Dr. Park shared the status of rice production in Africa with the team and informed the meeting that 40 hectares of land will be used for rice seed production to support farmers across the 7 identified countries.
Aspects of irrigation and infrastructure development in the areas will be enhanced with irrigation and mechanization for upland rice and low land rice respectively.
The project will establish seed processing centers aiming at processing at least 200 tons of seed per year, building the capacity of extension staff in processing and marketing skills. Very low levels of mechanization to reduce drudgery will be introduced.
During the discussions, the DG NARO was keen on the issue of sustainability, seed access, impact indicators, criteria of farmer selection, seed handling and mechanization. Dr. Yona asked for more support in the areas of potato, indigenous chicken, and vegetable farming. “We need more support beyond rice,” he said.
The meeting was also attended by Dr. Kassim Sadik- Deputy Director General for Technology Promotion, Dr. Stevens Kisaka-Director Corporate Services, Julius Tegiike Mununuzi-Director Finance, and Administration, Christine Elong -Public Relations Officer, Dr. Bernard Yada- Principal Research Scientist, Dr Damulire Gabriel- Principal Research Scientist.
