By Josephine Maseruka

UGANDA’S rice experts are to attend the Africa Rice Congress in Bamako, Mali to present the country’s success story in rice production.

The team leader for the cereal programme at the National Agricultural Research Organisation, Dr. Geoffrey Asea, on Monday told The New Vision that eight Ugandan rice experts will showcase two new rice varieties.

“The development of the Nerica rice varieties earned Uganda accolades and it has boosted the country’s rice production from 4,000 hectares in 2002 to over 50,000 hectares in 2007,” he said.

The new varieties have big grains, are drought and disease resistant and have higher yields.

As a result Uganda currently produces 170,000 metric tonnes of rice annualy although the domestic consumption stands at 200,000 tonnes.

Asea is optimistic that the country has the potential to grow enough rice to meet the domestic demand and for export since rice importation has dropped from $6m (sh12b) three years ago to $4m (sh8b) today.

The congress will bring together representatives from the public and private sector, civil society organisations, farmers’ associations and research and extension communities engaged in the development of Africa’s rice sector.

Asea said the team will make a presentation on dissemination approaches for Nerica rice in Uganda.

A statement from the congress said they will take stock of advances in rice science and technology aimed at enhancing rice productivity in farmers’ fields, while protecting environmental services and coping with climate change.

It will also provide an opportunity to discuss institutional innovations, policies and key investments needed to increase rice production in sub-Saharan Africa.

Among the challenges the rice sector faces is the outbreak a new disease known as the rice yellow mottle which is destroying rice in low lying areas.