Uganda launches US$4M project to strengthen rice seed production
The program targets higher yields and reduced imports through a South Korea partnership.
UGANDA – Uganda has joined South Korea’s K-Rice Belt initiative with a $4 million project aimed at boosting rice seed production and strengthening food security.
On Saturday, September 6, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) in collaboration with South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) launched the “Development of an African Rice Seed Cultivation Complex” in Entebbe.
The project falls under the wider K-Rice Belt Program, which South Korea introduced in 2023 to support rice production across sub-Saharan Africa.
Officials said the initiative will run for five years and focus on rehabilitating 50 hectares in the Tochi irrigation scheme located in northern Uganda.
According to a statement from MAAIF, the site will enable the production of about 13,000 tons of certified high-yield seeds every year, providing a reference point for local farmers.
“The government wants to see farmers access quality rice seed and improve productivity,” MAAIF noted. “This project brings both the technical and financial support needed to achieve that.”
Raising yields and cutting imports
The target is to increase yields to 5 tons per acre, or about 12 tons per hectare. Current national averages stand at just 1.4 tons per hectare, based on figures from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) covering 2020 to 2023.
Local media outlet Daily Monitor reported that with such gains, farmers will have the chance to raise output significantly.
Kampala has long struggled to meet demand, relying heavily on imports. FAO data show that between 2020 and 2023, Uganda imported an average of 344,000 tons of rice each year, valued at roughly $152 million.
Dr. Joseph K. Ekwamu, an agricultural researcher, said the intervention could ease the burden on imports if implemented effectively.
“We have the land and the farmers are ready. With improved seed and irrigation, Uganda can supply its own rice,” he explained.
The role of cooperatives and broader growth
The program’s success will depend not only on support from Seoul but also on how local cooperatives adopt the improved practices.
The government has emphasized the need for farmers’ groups to lead production efforts once the seed complex starts operations.
The initiative comes as Uganda continues to draw regional attention for its agricultural sector. In recent months, the country also launched a program with the African Development Bank to support irrigation and climate-smart farming.
Officials view both efforts as complementary steps toward reducing dependence on food imports and building stronger rural economies.
As the K-Rice Belt project gets underway, stakeholders hope the investment will help transform rice production into a sustainable and competitive sector within Uganda’s agriculture.
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