Uganda’s effort to develop a self-sufficient vegetable seed system is moving forward, as the VegeSeed Project transitions from building infrastructure to delivering tested seeds to farmers.
The initiative, a partnership between the government and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is implemented through the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) to strengthen local capacity for breeding, testing, and releasing certified vegetable seeds suited to Uganda’s conditions.
For years, Uganda has relied heavily on imported vegetable seeds. The VegeSeed Project aims to close this gap by establishing a sustainable, home-grown seed system.
The first phase focused on laying the foundation: constructing breeding infrastructure, equipping laboratories, and supporting early breeding work.
With these steps now complete, the project is entering a phase centered on testing seed varieties and preparing them for release to farmers.
Speaking at the Project Steering Committee meeting in Kampala, KOICA Deputy Country Director Ms. Aejin Han said the initiative has reached a significant stage.
“The VegeSeed Project is unique in many respects, but perhaps its most defined contribution is that it has not only set the stage for the release of Uganda’s own certified vegetable seed, but it has also established the very presence of vegetable breeding within NARO,” she said.
Ms. Han noted that while infrastructure and equipment are now in place, sustained progress will require continued commitment from all partners.
“Today, the infrastructure stands complete, the equipment has been delivered and installed, and our breeders have advanced quality lines… The foundation we committed to building together is now firmly in place,” she said.
“It is important for us to remember that infrastructure alone does not bring new variety. Equipment does not conduct trials, and technical cooperation cannot substitute for institutional investment.”
The next phase, including National Performance Trials (NPT) and the variety release process, will demand joint effort from all stakeholders.
NARO Director General Yona Baguma highlighted the project’s alignment with Uganda’s broader development goals, especially nutrition and productivity.
“We eat food for nutrition, we eat food to keep healthy… and you cannot have a productive population when you don’t have good nutrition,” he said, emphasizing the centrality of vegetables such as nakati, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers in Ugandan diets.
Dr Baguma also shared that several breeding lines are now ready for the next stage.
The Director General confirmed that lines of Tomato, Shallot Onion, Nakati and Chilli pepper being researched under the VegeSeed Project are being fronted for the National Performance trials this year, with the hope of releasing at least one or two varieties per crop.
Agricultural expert Dr Jee Hyeong described the transition as moving from foundational work into active implementation.
“Now we are at an important turning point, from first phase to second phase,” he said. “The priority now is to move promising lines through testing… The question now is how do we keep the pipeline moving without delay?”
Dr Jee stressed the importance of coordination, timely execution, and operational support, particularly as trials are expected across multiple sites.
He added that strong collaboration between partners will be critical for smooth progress.
Stakeholders at the meeting also emphasized clear planning, budgeting, and communication to ensure the project delivers tangible results for farmers.
With the groundwork complete, the VegeSeed Project is poised to improve access to quality vegetable seeds, boost production, and support food security across Uganda.