Biotechnology, Breeding and Seed Systems for African Crops
Seed Systems Research
Abstracts from the Biotechnology, Breeding and Seed Systems
Conference
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The potential of upland rice varieties among
smallholder farmers in Uganda P.
Kibwika, J. Imanywoha, G. Bigirwa & J.
Kikafunda Rice is gaining importance in Uganda as both a commercial and food crop
among small-holder farmers. A
survey of 400 rice farmers in five districts revealed that rice is grown
mainly for cash income. Nearly
all the farmers growing rice categorised it as a cash crop and hope to
rely on it for income in coming years.
The major constraint in upland rice production is labor for
ploughing and weeding. The
growing concern for protection of the environment, particularly the
wetlands, is likely to limit expansion of paddy rice.
Therefore, farmers who rely on rice for income require options
for continued production of rice without necessarily encroaching on the
wetlands. Introduction of
upland rice varieties is one such option that can sustain rice
production and also reduce labor demands for production of rice.
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