TL;DR: Rice farming is replacing tobacco cultivation in Uganda’s West Nile region, supported by the ECO-PRiDe project to boost food security and incomes.
The West Nile region, once known for its tobacco cultivation, is witnessing a shift as rice farming takes root. This change is driven by a collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which supports the Promotion of Sustainable Rice Development Project (ECO-PRiDe). This five-year initiative aims to enhance rice production and improve farmers' livelihoods, contributing to regional economic growth.
In the second year of implementation, the project has already trained 13 district agricultural officers and 28 farmers in modern rice cultivation methods. Farmers, certified after completing hands-on training, will pass on their knowledge through a farmer-to-farmer model. The project also partners with Equator Seeds Limited to ensure access to certified seeds. With rice becoming one of the region’s top crops, it is expected to play a key role in poverty reduction and food security. Uganda’s rice production has grown significantly, with hopes of achieving full self-sufficiency and possibly exporting rice in the near future.
The West Nile region, once known for its tobacco cultivation, is witnessing a shift as rice farming takes root. This change is driven by a collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which supports the Promotion of Sustainable Rice Development Project (ECO-PRiDe). This five-year initiative aims to enhance rice production and improve farmers' livelihoods, contributing to regional economic growth.
In the second year of implementation, the project has already trained 13 district agricultural officers and 28 farmers in modern rice cultivation methods. Farmers, certified after completing hands-on training, will pass on their knowledge through a farmer-to-farmer model. The project also partners with Equator Seeds Limited to ensure access to certified seeds. With rice becoming one of the region’s top crops, it is expected to play a key role in poverty reduction and food security. Uganda’s rice production has grown significantly, with hopes of achieving full self-sufficiency and possibly exporting rice in the near future.
