Uganda improves crops

Jul 08, 2010

<b>By John Kasozi</b> <br>THE National Crops Resources Research Institute at Namulonge has developed new drought resistant varieties of maize, cassava, beans and upland rice crops.

By John Kasozi
THE National Crops Resources Research Institute at Namulonge has developed new drought resistant varieties of maize, cassava, beans and upland rice crops.

Speaking to journalists yesterday, the plant breeder team leader, Dr. Godfrey Asea, disclosed that the institute had developed three maize drought-tolerant varieties, which are Longe 9H, Longe 10H and Longe 11H.

The Longe varieties, which mature in 120 days, give high yields and are ideal for mid latitudes.

He added that they can survive in drought conditions and are resistant to pests while in storage.
“This year, we released an extra early maturing maize variety, MM3, which matures in 90 days. We hope this will address the short rains experienced in Karamoja of less than 1,000mm per annum,” Asea said.
“With this variety, a person can start eating green maize within 60 days,” he explained, adding that other maize varieties take four months.

Namulonge is developing high quality protein maize (Longe 5-Nalongo and Ssalongo Hybrid), which have higher levels of essential amino acids and tasty flour. They will be on the market next year, Asea said.

He added that the varieties were being multiplied by seed companies. “The farmers will be able to buy Longe 9H from FICA, Longe 10H from NASECO and Longe 11H from CAII found in Iganga in eastern Uganda.”

“We also have new upland rice varieties that are drought-resistant. They are Suparica 1 “White”, NERICA 4 “Gold” and NERICA 10. They mature between three to four months,” Asea noted.

Suparica 1 has long aromatic grains and performs well in poor soils. It yields about two to three tonnes per acre. NERICA 4 has bold aromatic grains and has excellent milling ability, while NERICA 10’s spikes avoid bird damage. The institute carries out research on cassava, oil palm, cocoa, tea, coffee, beans, banana, maize and rice. It also studies fruit trees and foliage.

Asea said the institute is a source of most of the crops on the market, adding that it would soon open a field of its crops to the public. “We want to show stakeholders the new drought-resistant high yielding crops, quality seeds and good agronomic and husbandry practices,” he said.

Crop varieties

CASSAVA: NASE 1-4 are widely adopted. NASE 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, are mainly grown in eastern Uganda.
RICE: NARIC 1 (ITA 257), NARIC 2 (ITA 325), NERICA 4 (NARIC 3), also known as SUPARICA 2, NERICA 1 with aroma, and NERICA 10. Suitable for Lira, Dokolo, Iganga, Bugiri and Masindi districts.
SWEET POTATOES: Wagabolige, Tanzania, Bwanjule, Tororo 3, Sowola, Nan Kawogo, NASPOT 1, NASPOT 2, NASPOT 3, NASPOT 4, NASPOT 5 and NASPOT 6. They grow well in most parts of the country.
BEANS: NABE 1, NABE 2, NABE 3, NABE 4, NABE 5, NABE 6, NABE 7C, NABE 8C, NABE 9C, NABE 10C, K131 and K 132. All are disease resistant.

MAIZE: Longe 1, Longe 2H, Longe 3H, Longe 4, Longe 5, PAN 67 and SC627. Capable of yielding seven tonnes per hectare. Longe 9H, 10H and 11H are drought-tolerant. MM3 is extra early maturing (90-days) and can be grown in Karamoja .
IRISH POTATO: Victoria, Kisoro, NAKPOT 1, NAKPOT 2 and NAKPOT 3. They respond very well in highland areas.

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