Uganda

Rice-fish farming in the Land of Milk and Honey

ROME, 30 January 2025 / PRN Africa / -- “We have very good weather and water. So, we have the potential to feed the whole of East and Central Africa,” Robert Sagula, a 69-year-old rice farmer, says while tending his rice field. He believes hybrid rice has the potential to chase hunger out of Uganda and turn the country into a food basket for a sizeable chunk of the continent.

Heading east, towards the border with Kenya, lives Robert Sagula, a 69-year-old rice farmer from Nabiganda, Uganda. Robert is one of the area’s most experienced rice farmers. He started farming right after school and took over the family farm when his father passed away in 1986.

In recent years, Robert has revolutionized his farming with training by experts from China.

The training is part of a South-South Cooperation (SSC) project, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, in collaboration with the Governments of China and Uganda.

The SSC project is helping Ugandan farmers to produce more with less through training, technology and technical assistance across a wide range of areas, from crop production and animal husbandry to aquaculture and sericulture. Part of the project also involves the promotion of a high-yielding, drought-resistant hybrid rice variety that has allowed Robert to boost his yields significantly.

Read the full story here in these languages: English | Chinese

Arabic, French, Spanish and Russian versions will be available soon

Media outlets are welcome to reproduce the article or use the information contained in it, as well as related photos provided that FAO and the photographers are given credit. A link back to the original story is also appreciated.

SOURCE Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)