Minister warns of counterfeit seed risks as planting season looms

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With less than two weeks to the anticipated arrival of the rains, which signals the first planting season, farmers have been cautioned against counterfeit seeds.

Information from the Ministry of Water and Environment indicates that a detailed weather update on when the actual planting rains will start will be released on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at the Uganda Media Centre.

The State Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, Fredrick Bwino Kyakulaga speaking at a ceremony to recognise NARO breeding teams and researchers at the Aquaculture Research and Development Centre, Kajjansi in Wakiso district, February 28, 2025. (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)

According to the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fred Kyakulaga Bwino, there are private seed breeders that are not recognised by the National Agriculture Research Organisation, who are also selling seed to the public. Because they are not regulated, these could end up selling poor-quality seed to farmers.

“We have heard of companies painting maize seed and distributing it as genuine seed. We are told that these are widespread; NARO needs to look at this kind of leakage that is affecting seed quality,” Bwino said.

He made the call on February 28, 2025, while officiating at the royalties awarding ceremony for plant breeders and institutions at the Fisheries Resource Research Institute in Kajjansi, one of the institutes under the National Agriculture Research Organisation (NARO).

At the same time, the chairman of the NARO governing council, Kenneth Katungisa, tasked scientists to also popularise seeds that match the current weather changes.

The scientists were awarded royalties in cash for taking time to breed crop varieties that have been embraced by the public and also meet the food security agenda. Those who were awarded include Dr Joseph Kikafunda, who contributed to the cultural management of maize and rice, which covered crop responses to soil fertility, seed rate studies for both maize and rice, and weed management.

Dr Godfrey Asea is a seasoned maize breeder based at the National Crops Resources Research Institute. He has released and registered more than 20 maize varieties that are commercially produced. He has also won several regional maize breeding and technology development awards from CIMMYT, recognising his work in developing drought-tolerant maize varieties for Africa.

Dr Asea was the lead breeder in the development of, among others, UH5354, Longe 10H, UH 5051, and Longe 5, which are some of the licensed maize varieties.

Dr Stanley Tamusange Nkalubo has developed and released seventeen (17) high-yielding bean varieties, which have significantly contributed to increased bean production and productivity, household income, and improved nutrition for the people of Uganda.

Dr Nkalubo was the lead breeder in the development of, among others, NAROBEAN 2, NABE 16, 17, and 19, which are some of the licensed bean varieties.

Dr Jimmy Lamo is a seasoned plant breeder with over 20 years of experience in variety development, evaluation, and release. He has spearheaded the development and release of 20 rice varieties in the last 20 years.

Dr. Kalule Okello David is currently serving as Director of Research at the National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI). He has led the development and release of over 12 groundnut varieties with over 60 percent adoption.

Dr David Kalule Okello was the lead breeder in the development of, among others, Serenut 14R, which is one of the licensed groundnut varieties.

The late Dr Justus Imanywoha was a plant breeder/geneticist by training, who was the lead breeder in the development of Longe 7H, a licensed variety.

The late Steven John Okanya was a technician in the cereals program in NaCRRI; as a technician in the cereals program, he contributed to the development of, among others, licensed varieties including Longe 10H, Longe 7H, and Longe 5, among the 69 members of the breeding teams who are here today for recognition.

Some of the NARO researchers that were awarded. (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)

Institutions that were recognized include NaCRRI, which has contributed to the development of over 40 maize varieties, over 20 bean varieties, over 20 rice varieties, and others.

NaSARRI has spearheaded the development of over 10 sorghum varieties, over 20 groundnut varieties, several varieties of sunflower, cowpea, and millet, among others.