Rice farmers in Namutumba District are scheduled to experience a major shift in production following the successful introduction of a new high-yield WDE75 hybrid rice variety that demonstrats strong performance even under drought conditions.
The WDE75 hybrid rice variety was introduced by the Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD) earlier this year through the FAO China–Uganda South-South Cooperation Project Phase III to support smallholder farmers with improved, climate-resilient rice technologies.
In response to the impressive feedback from the pionner pilot farmers, the Director General of the BCD Dr. Mula Anthony revealed plans to scale up the pilot demostration during the next season attracting more interest from local farmers to participate.
Dr. Mula together with Ms. Xu Xiaoli (Cheery) Zoeve seed company, Busoga Kingdom Minister for Agriculture Owek. Samuel Nathan Nkenga, district leaders and officials from the China–Uganda FAO South-South Cooperation Programme witnessed the first harvest of the WDE75 hybrid rice variety during the field visit to Nawaibete Swamp along the Kibaale–Ivukula Road in Ivukula Sub-county, Namutumba District.
Speaking at the demonstration farm, Ms. Xu Xiaoli said the WDE75 variety had undergone testing by the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and had proven to be one of the most promising rice varieties for farmers.
She explained that the variety combines high productivity with resilience, making it suitable for farmers looking to move from subsistence production to commercial rice farming.
“Based on the performance we are seeing, this variety has the potential to become one of the best rice varieties for farmers in the future, especially those intending to produce rice for commercial purposes,” Ms. Xu said. The rice variety is said to yield 3 times higher than the local paddy breed that is currently grown across Busoga.
Despite the prolonged drought during the previous growing season, the improved rice variety recorded significantly higher yields compared to the traditional rice varieties that farmers have grown for years. The performance has attracted neighbouring farmers who have visited the demonstration gardens to compare the new variety with their own varieties.
As a result, the demand for the new rice varriety WDE75 has shot up with more community farmers requesting to access the hybrid seeds.
Ivukula Sub-county Agricultural Officer Mugomba Iva said the new variety had demonstrated better resilience against harsh weather conditions compared to traditional rice varieties.
He said expanding the project would help increase rice production, improve household incomes and strengthen food security among farming communities.
One of the pioneer farmers, Steven Balikowa, said the demonstration plots had changed farmers’ views about improved seed.
“Farmers have been coming to these gardens to compare what they see here with what they have been growing. Many are now ready to adopt this improved rice variety because of its performance,” he said.
Speaking during the visit, BCD Director General Dr. Anthony Mula said BCD, together with the Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, FAO South-South Cooperation Programme, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, and other partners, will expand the pilot project to reach 100 farmers, with each farmer cultivating one acre of WDE75 hybrid rice in the next season.
The Resident District Commissioner of Namutumba said Government would support the initiative and encouraged farmers to embrace improved agricultural technologies while following Government guidelines on sustainable wetland use.
Busoga Kingdom Minister for Agriculture Owek. Samuel Nathan Nkenga praised BCD and its Chinese partners for selecting Namutumba as a beneficiary of the project, saying the initiative directly supports farmers through improved agricultural technology.
“DG, we want to thank you and the Chinese partners for choosing Namutumba. You have saved us because this project is directly benefiting our farmers,” Owek. Nkenga said.
The introduction of WDE75 hybrid rice in Busoga is part of efforts to accelerate agricultural transformation under the region’s Vision 2030 agenda. BCD says the project complements other initiatives in soybean production, poultry development and soya milk feeding programmes being implemented in different districts across Busoga.