Chinese agricultural technologies are playing a transformative role in Uganda’s crop, livestock, and fisheries sectors, significantly boosting production and improving household incomes in rural communities.
Under the South-South Cooperation (SSC) project, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Chinese experts have been working closely with Ugandan counterparts since 2012. Now in its third phase, the initiative has seen over 60 Chinese agricultural specialists dispatched to Uganda, where they have collaborated with local farmers to shift from subsistence to more commercial and productive farming practices.
A key component of this cooperation has been the establishment of three agricultural technology transfer hubs across the country. These centers serve as focal points for the introduction and adaptation of advanced Chinese agricultural techniques in crop production, livestock management, and aquaculture.
In the crop sector, 248 new varieties of rice, millet, and sorghum have been introduced through the SSC framework. Among the notable successes is the WDR-73 rice variety, a high-yielding and drought-resistant strain developed through a partnership between China’s Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center and Uganda’s National Agricultural Research Organization. This variety is now being promoted across Uganda, directly benefiting close to 5,000 households. It has led to the production of 15,000 tons of rice and increased the average household income by approximately 4 million Ugandan shillings, equivalent to about 1,100 U.S. dollars.
This year, the SSC project is placing emphasis on expanding demonstration sites to showcase the potential of these new technologies. Plans are underway to complete 300-acre rice and 60-acre foxtail millet demonstration sites. These plots will serve as learning centers for farmers to observe and adopt best practices in cultivation, pest control, irrigation, and harvesting techniques that have been fine-tuned by Chinese experts.
In the livestock sector, innovations have centered around poultry and dairy farming. Demonstration sites for 1,400 broiler units and 200 beef cattle units are being rolled out, enabling local farmers to observe and adopt more efficient feeding, breeding, and animal health management practices. Additionally, steps have been taken to import big-ear goats from China, known for their high meat yield, as part of the broader strategy to improve livestock breeds and productivity.
Aquaculture has also received a significant boost. One innovative technique being promoted is the rice-fish farming system, where rice cultivation is combined with fish farming in the same field. This integrated approach not only maximizes land use but also enhances food security by diversifying production and income streams. Fingerling production has similarly expanded under the guidance of Chinese aquaculture experts, providing a reliable supply of young fish to support the growing demand for fish farming in the country.
These advancements have had a profound impact on rural livelihoods. Farmers are not only experiencing increased yields and incomes but are also benefiting from improved food and nutritional security. As new technologies continue to be introduced and scaled up, the partnership between China and Uganda is poised to play an even greater role in shaping the future of agriculture in the country.
