CNOOC Uganda Limited has marked a major milestone with the first successful harvest of the WDR-73 high-yield rice variety under its Innovative Livelihood Restoration Program for Crop Production.
Conducted in the Kingfisher Development Area in Kikuube District, the harvest underscores the company’s commitment to enhancing food security and restoring the livelihoods of Project Affected Persons (PAPs) and host communities.
The program, launched in March 2025, is implemented by Hoima Caritas Development Organization (HOCADEO) with technical support from the FAO–China–Uganda South-South Cooperation initiative.
Since its inception, two demonstration gardens have been established in Buhuka and Kaseeta parishes to promote modern farming practices.
More than 300 farmers have received training in improved agricultural techniques, and 80 are actively cultivating rice and millet using high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and modern agronomic methods.
Initial yield projections show promising results, with rice expected to produce between 2.5 and 3 tons per acre, and millet projected at between 1.5 and 2 tons per acre. These figures reflect the program’s potential to transform household food security and increase incomes within participating communities.
The harvest event drew wide participation from stakeholders, including farmers, local leaders, government officials, and technical partners.
Representing the farmers, Emmanuel Balijwaha expressed gratitude for the hands-on training and support, noting that the program had renewed confidence in farming as a viable and sustainable livelihood.
Zhang Xiaoqiang, Team Leader of the FAO-China-Uganda South-South Cooperation Project, emphasized the importance of knowledge transfer and innovation in improving productivity and complementing national agricultural modernization efforts.
He praised the partnership for effectively blending international expertise with local participation to deliver tangible results.
Penninah Aheebwa, representing the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, highlighted that CNOOC Uganda’s community investment programs align well with national content and development strategies.
CNOOC Uganda Vice President Ma Peixin reaffirmed the company’s commitment to inclusive development, stating that the first rice harvest demonstrates the transformative power of equipping communities with the right tools, knowledge, and resources.
He reiterated the company’s dedication to a Green Ecological Oilfield Development model, where oil resource development goes hand-in-hand with strengthening local livelihoods and delivering long-term benefits to surrounding communities.
In addition to speeches, the event featured practical, hands-on learning activities. Farmers received onsite training in cultivation techniques from HOCADEO agronomists, participated in guided field tours of the demonstration plots, and took part in a rice harvest demonstration.
Guests also sampled freshly prepared rice and millet dishes, showcasing the nutritional and commercial value of the improved crop varieties.
This milestone rice harvest is one among many initiatives under CNOOC Uganda’s broader community development efforts.
In the field of education, over 1,400 students from Kikuube and Hoima districts have received scholarships under the Best Performers Awards. In addition, 11 Ugandan students have earned full scholarships to study at the China University of Petroleum.
Skills development continues to be a priority, with over 300 young people trained in heavy goods vehicle driving and ECITB-certified programs that equip them with globally recognized qualifications, enhancing their employment prospects in Uganda’s growing energy and construction sectors.
In healthcare, medical outreach programs and health camps in Buhuka have provided free treatment and services to thousands of residents.
Environmental conservation is also a key pillar of the company’s work, with over 1,000 trees planted to promote climate resilience and support the Green Ecological Oilfield vision.
CNOOC Uganda continues to invest in essential social infrastructure, including the construction and equipping of schools, health centers, and water supply systems to improve community access to education, healthcare, and clean water.
