By Peter Abaanabasazi & photo
Rice farmers in Kikuube district who were trained and adapted to smart climate agricultural methods are reaping big in rice growing.
The smart climate agricultural method was introduced by Makerere University in partnership with Kikuube district local government.
Makerere is implementing a three-year project dubbed Enhancement of Rice Productivity through adaptation of climate-smart Agricultural Options and market-responsive strategies in Uganda in the sub-counties of Kabwoya and Kiziranfumbi.
The project which started in 2022 focuses on promoting the growing of upland rice (NAMCHE5) which is highly nutritious and resistant to climate change with funding from the Africa Plant Nutrition Institute. Under this project, 12 demonstration gardens were established in the area.
Speaking during an evaluation and capacity-building meeting for the farmers benefiting from the project, Godfrey Byakagaba, one of the renowned rice farmers in Kikuube-Kikyaya said the project has empowered the farmers and enabled them to benefit from rice growing.
According to him, before the introduction of the project, he would harvest 10 bags of rice from an acre, but when he started practising modern methods, he now harvests 20 bags of rice in an acre.
He added that they used to practice rice growing by broadcasting methods which was costly.
“I used to plant rice like someone planting beans and groundnuts, which would require much work, but now using the new method, I plant the rice in lines. I used to plant 50 kilograms of rice in an acre, but I plant 30 kilograms and get a better yield than before,” he said.
Paul Musinguzi and his wife Ayebazibwe Doreen said modern rice farming has helped them to improve the income of their family and also educate their children.
They noted that they used to harvest five-eight bags of rice, but now with the application of modern methods, they harvest 18 bags.
He added that several farmers have benefited from the demo gardens which were established in the area, and they are practising rice growing than before.
John Bagumirabingi, the coordinator of the project in Kikuube district commended Makerere University for promoting rice growing in the district, adding few farmers have not been engaging in rice growing because they have not benefited from the business due to poor growing methods.
Dr. Patrick Musinguzi, the principal investigator for Makerere University challenged farmers to take advantage of demo farms established in the area to be able to adapt to new farming technology and thrive in the rice farming business.
“With good agronomic management practices, fertilization practices, and smart climate agricultural methods, a farmer can double yields. Research shows that a farmer can get 16 to 20 bags of rice from one acre of land,” he said.
PHOTO CAPTION: Farmers posing for a photo at a rice farm after the training. Photo by Peter Abaanabasazi
