|
|
|
African Crops Networks |
|
NGICA (Cowpea) |
|
Other Networks |
|
Plant Protection Network, IAPPS |
|
Quick Info Links |
|
Online Journals |
|
Electronic Journal of Biotechnology |
|
African Journal of Biotechnology |
|
Free Access Portals |
|
AGORA: 400 Journals |
|
Crop Databases |
|
Crop Specific DBs |
|
Genetic Maps |
|
Bibliographic Database |
|
Search Facilities |
|
User Information |
|
Improving food security in south-western Uganda by transferring and promoting resistant varieties and integrated management packages for bean root rot F. Opio, M. Ugen, A. Namayanja, I. Mugagga, D. Mawejje Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is one of the most important crops in Uganda and the most important legume crop. It is a major source of food security and income. The crop can be grown throughout the year and throughout the country. South-western Uganda was the area of greatest production, responsible for over 30% of the bean production in the country until the 1990s, when production started declining. The decline is mostly attributed to bean root rot. The disease, widely spread in the area, can cause yield losses as high as 100% during severe attacks. The lack in the area of resistant varieties and other control measures for the root rot disease caused an outcry. In response, the National Beans Programme (based at Namulonge) and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) developed technologies that can effectively control the disease. The technologies involved include bean varieties resistant to root rot, and integrated disease and crop management. The technologies were tested in the area and proved effective in controlling root rot. There was therefore need to promote them, make farmers aware of them, and scale up their adoption. The two districts of Bushenyi and Kisoro were selected for scale up because of the importance of the crop and severity of the disease. This paper presents progress and achievements since work started in 2003. It also highlights the challenges and lessons learned while these activities were being implemented. |