NERICA rice and other farmer produced quality seed
Summary

The Uganda Government is promoting domestic rice production to reduce imports and as a relief measure to provide food for returnees to areas formerly affected by civil war.

This Best Bet aims to improve access to quality seed through public-private partnership in Uganda.

The project will aim to support scaling up, production and delivery of high quality NERICA rice seed varieties by local seed companies and to implement a marketing strategy to stabilise demand.

Highlights so far

• Three tonnes of basic seed of three registered NERICA varieties have been produced by National Crops Resources Research Institute (NACRRI) for distribution to seed growers in first season of 2010. Two local seed companies were given 1 tonne of seed each: Centre for Agricultural Inputs International, Uganda (CAII), and Nalweyo Seed Company (NASECO). They are using the seed for production of foundation seed under the supervision of NACRRI staff. This will be given to company out-growers for certified seed production
• An import permit was obtained and nucleus seed is being sourced from the Africa Rice Center (formerly WARDA) for production of foundation seed. The project has identified additional key farmer groups as out growers for NASECO and CAII
• Seven production and extension staff from both companies have been trained for one week on quality rice seed production. Plans are underway for the training of farmer group leaders as trainers
• Videos on quality rice seed production covering seed sorting, seed floatation, seed drying and preservation have been translated into seven local languages. A complete rice production video is being translated into four local languages as training materials for trainers, extension agents and rice seed growers. These videos will be duplicated for distribution to rice producers
• Training and information materials on quality rice seed production are being developed for distribution to farmers during the planting season

Summary
Currently rice consumption in Uganda is estimated at 210,000 tonnes and imports remain high. The Uganda Government is promoting domestic rice production to reduce imports and as a relief measure to provide food for returnees to areas formerly affected by war. Although demand in the country is high the activities of the relief agencies are highlighting the lack of availability of good quality seed. This is leading to distortions in the market as seed of variable quality is provided cheaply or free of charge.

The project will aim to support scaling up, production and delivery of high quality NERICA rice seed. It will achieve this by working with local seed companies and implementing a marketing strategy to stabilise demand.

The project will support the costs of training out-growers and establishing new farmer groups to work with seed companies. At the same time it will train company staff as trainers so they can continue activities in the future. Training materials will be produced and made available for use by other companies and entrepreneurs wanting to engage more effectively with out-growers. Promotional activities, including use of radio as well as other information materials such as posters and product flyers, will stabilise demand through creating awareness both of the value of the product and of the importance of using high-quality seed.

Partners

• Nalweyo Seed Company (NASECO) 1996 Ltd, Uganda
• National Crop Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI)
• Centre for Agricultural Inputs International, Uganda
• CABI - Africa (Lead partner)
• The Africa Rice Center

Non-consortium members also have key roles to play. These include:

• government extension staff - who will be involved in mobilizing the groups
• government staff from the National Seed Certification Service
• farmers
• agro-dealers