The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) has intensified its partnership with China to revolutionize rice production in Africa.
Led by NARO’s Director General, Dr Yona Baguma, a delegation is in China collaborating with institutions like Yunnan University and BGI Group, renowned for two decades of rice research.
“NARO and BGI have embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration to harness perenniality in crops, especially rice, enabling farmers to harvest from the same crop for up to five years,” Dr Baguma explained.
He emphasized that perennial rice allows 15 harvests from one planting, reducing input costs and improving soil stability.
This partnership, formalised during BGI Group CEO Dr Yin Ye’s visit to Uganda in October 2024, includes the establishment of an Africa Regional Perennial Rice Technology Centre in Uganda.
“Through this partnership, Uganda and China will lead one of the most significant food revolutions in the world as rice is a principle food security crop across the world,” Dr. Baguma noted.
Uganda, with its 65 types of wild rice, offers a solid base for developing high-yielding, climate-smart varieties.
Prof Zhang Shilai, deputy dean at the Institute of Plant Resources at Yunnan University highlighted the benefits, stating, “Perennial rice reduces labor, eliminates transplanting and tillage, saves seeds, and increases carbon storage.”
NARO has already released five perennial rice varieties, including the popular PR107 or "NARO Rice 1," celebrated for its aroma and taste.
The collaboration will also provide opportunities for Ugandan students to study rice research in China.
The NARO delegation, including Dr Stevens Kisaka, Mr Dennis Owor, Dr Titus Alicai, Dr Jimmy Lamo, and Mr Frank Mugabi, aims to foster research, training, and regional adoption of perennial rice technologies, benefiting the continent’s food security.