Uganda is inching closer to a major agricultural breakthrough as scientists finalise testing of new aromatic rice varieties set to replace the popularly imported basmati and supa rice.
The innovation has been driven by soaring demand for aromatic rice, which has prompted the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) to race to deliver homegrown basmati and supa varieties that can match imported grain in quality, aroma, and yield.
Developed under the Promotion of Sustainable Rice Development (ECO-PRiDe) Project and funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the new varieties signal a turning point that could boost farmer incomes, strengthen food security, and save the country billions spent annually on rice imports.
Dr Jimmy Lamo, a rice breeder and Cereals Programme Leader at NARO, said the varieties also address long-standing challenges faced by rice farmers in Uganda. They are under advanced testing across six locations, including the Doho Irrigation Scheme in Butaleja.