MAK conducts research to move rice farmers from wetlands
KIKUUBE– Makerere University researchers have established a research project in the Bunyoro Sub-region aimed at stopping farmers from growing rice in wetlands and river banks.
Dr. Patrick Musinguzi, the principal investigator of the research project, said last Friday they would release the findings of the research to the public, especially for the benefit of rice farmers.
Musinguzi noted their research indicates that farmers can grow rice 30 meters away from the wetlands and get high yields compared to those cultivating in wetlands.
He noted that they embarked on the research activity after establishing that several farmers in the country were cultivating rice in wetlands and river banks as they possess water to support the growth of the crop.
He said they would share the findings with the rice farmers so that they stop the depletion of sensitive ecological areas and other water catchment places in the country.
He was speaking in Kiziranfunbi Sub-county, Kikuube district during the evaluation meeting for the farmers benefiting from the three-year project dubbed Enhancement of Rice Productivity Through Adaptation of Climate-smart Agricultural Options and Market Responsive Strategies in Uganda.
The project which started last year focuses on promoting the cultivation of upland rice [NAMCHE5] which the researchers say is highly nutritious and resistant to climate change. The project is implemented by Makerere University in partnership with Kikuube District Local Government, with funding from the Africa Plant Nutrition institute.
He noted that under the project, 12 demonstration gardens were established in the area for farmers to learn from so that they can be able to adapt to new technologies and good agronomic practices of growing rice out of the wetlands.
“With good agronomic management practices, such as application of fertilisers, research shows that a farmer can get 16 bags of rice from one acre of land,” he said.
Peter Bisoborwa, the deputy resident district commissioner for Kikuube district commended Makerere University for the research, adding it has been long overdue.
He expressed concern that about 80 percent of the rice farmers in Kikuube district and Bunyoro Sub-region in general use wetlands, adding this needs to be stopped to save the environment in the area.
“People are doing things ignorantly. You hear people saying rice grows well in water, but they do not know that this is not sustainable. I think that this research will help our people to know that they can grow rice away from the wetlands and get good yields,” he said.
Vincent Opio, the Hoima district Vice chairperson commended Makerere University for promoting the cultivation of upland rice, adding that most farmers in the Sub-region region have run to cane and tea growing, which could have a negative impact on food security.
However, he challenged farmers to embrace government programs such as the Parish Development Model [PDM] and Operation Wealth Creation [OWC] which promote commercial farming.
https://thecooperator.news/oyam-farmers-call-for-help-as-rats-invade-rice-fields/
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