Uganda tomorrow officially launch a new rice research initiative in partnership with Japan, with the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and Kagoshima University seeking to develop resilient rice varieties and strengthen the country’s rice production.
The DREAM Rice Project kicked off at the NARO Secretariat, where Prof. Akio Ido, President of Kagoshima University, joined NARO leadership for discussions on the new research and development programme.
The launch marks another milestone in more than two decades of agricultural research collaboration between Uganda and Japan, a partnership that has contributed to advances in rice research, irrigation and production.
According to NARO leadership, the collaboration is now expected to deliver new rice varieties targeting both productivity and market demand.
Among the key milestones highlighted at the project launch is the upcoming release of two Super rice varieties and two Basmati rice varieties.
The new varieties are expected to expand farmers’ choices while supporting efforts to increase yields, improve resilience and respond to changing consumer and market preferences.
The partnership also comes against the backdrop of major investments in Uganda’s rice-growing infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of the Doho Rice Irrigation Scheme, which is expected to support the expansion of large-scale rice farming.
Doho, one of Uganda’s major rice-producing areas, has played a significant role in the country’s drive to increase domestic rice production and reduce dependence on imports.
NARO said Uganda’s rice sector has undergone a significant transformation over the years, moving from being a major rice importer towards near self-sufficiency, with domestic production increasingly serving both the local and regional markets.
The DREAM Rice Project is therefore expected to build on these gains by combining scientific research, improved varieties and stronger collaboration between Ugandan and Japanese institutions.
The project will focus on developing rice varieties capable of withstanding production challenges while helping farmers improve their livelihoods through increased productivity and access to profitable markets.
The initiative also fits into Uganda’s broader efforts to strengthen agricultural productivity and food security amid growing demand for rice, which has become an increasingly important staple in the country.
NARO leadership said the new partnership represents a fresh chapter in Uganda-Japan agricultural cooperation, with research expected to play a central role in making rice farming more productive, resilient and commercially viable.
With the planned release of four new varieties and continued investment in irrigation infrastructure, the DREAM Rice Project could further position Uganda as a competitive rice producer in the region while strengthening food security and incomes for farmers.
