Focus on food-insecure areas, crop researchers told

Crop researchers have been urged to focus on areas that are food insecure across the country.

Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze says there are continuous stories of people suffering from hunger in different parts of the country, while in some areas, a lot of food goes to waste.

He adds that in other areas, nature, through the increased manifestation of floods and dry spells, has worsened the situation.

“While we laud you for the achievements over the years, we cannot afford to be complacent. We want to see areas that have continuously suffered with a food shortage to be food secure. And we want to see growth in yields through not only better crop varieties, but also technologies that make farming easier, predictable and affordable.

Tumwebaze’s remarks were contained in a speech read for him by agriculture state minister Fred Bwino Kyakulaga at the National Crop Resources Research Institute, which was celebrating 75 years of existence at its premises in Namulonge, Wakiso district.

Tumwebaze said that the celebrations mark a period where research has fed nations, built resilience in the agrofood systems through churning out numerous disease–resistant but also nutritious climate-resilient crop varieties.

Adding that the research has, in the long run, contributed to the country’s development and reminded researchers of the emerging challenge of climate change, which he said is no longer a distant story but a reality that should be dealt with.

He also advised researchers to target research towards President Yoweri Museveni’s call to create agri-products that will drive food and nutrition security and economic development.

“Your task is to answer the call and drive production and productivity by continually advancing not just superior crop varieties and animal breeds, but also sustainable practices,” he said.

Explaining the journey, National Agriculture Research Organisation (NARO) director general Dr Yona Baguma said the institute came into existence in 1947 as a coffee research institute.

It was later transformed into a food crop research institute between the 1950s and 60s, starting with releasing a maize variety that could yield 600 metric tonnes. This was followed by the release of cassava varieties commonly referred to as Bukalasa 7, 9, 9 and 11 varieties.

Although the institute got a setback and relaxed for close to three years due to insecurity, it later bounced back with renewed energy, explained Baguma.

With the able leadership of people like Dr  Israel Kibirig Sebunya, Dr Cyprien Ebong, Dr Tereza Sengooba and Dr Mukiii, among others.

Commenting on the development, NaCRRI director of research Dr Titus Alicai emphasised the need for collaboration and said over the last 25 years, the institute has developed and released to the market over 100 crop seed varieties that are being used today.

These include maize, beans, sweet potatoes, rice, fruits and vegetables, but also spearhead the fight