NaCRRI Updates

Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com NaCRRI is implementing Excellence-in-Breeding (EiB)–a CGIAR initiative to modernize breeding programs and accelerate rates of genetic gains in pilot crops of maize, rice, cassava and sweet potato in the form of nutritious, climate-resilient, market-demanded varieties. The other pilot crops at NARO are groundnuts and banana based at NaSARRI and NaRL.Continue reading "NaCRRI selected for EiB investment on irrigation, seed storage and machinery to support NARs-CG breeding network"

A section of Ministry officials, farmers, media and scientists interact during the visit to the trials in Bugiri Farmers in four sub counties in Buikwe and Bugiri districts are upbeat about the outcomes from insecticide control trials for whiteflies in cassava. The farmers are taking part in farmer participatory trials/demonstrations in Ngogwe and Najja subContinue reading "Farmers excited by results from insecticide control trials for whiteflies"

Steaming of cassava wrapped in banana leaves in Mityana, central Uganda. Paula Iragaba /NaCRRI Photos from research conducted by NaCRRI emerged best in two of three categories in a photo challenge organized by the Roots Tubers and Bananas (RTB) foods project on the occasion of the third annual meeting of the project. The three-day contestContinue reading "NaCRRI excels in RTB photo contest"

DG NARO (l) and NaCRRI rice team during a tour of a MET-12 rice field in Mubuku, Kasese The Cereals program is set to release rice varieties that are adapted to rainfed lowland and upland rice production ecologies. Unlike the previous varieties which were majorly developed for yield, drought and disease resistance, these new candidateContinue reading "Market and consumer preferences driving rice breeding: new rice varieties set for release"

Healthy cassava tubers The national cassava breeding program has adopted a consumer-centered strategy in developing new cassava varieties. The new approach will enable the program to more effectively meet the needs and preferences of various end users along the cassava value chain using cutting edge tools and technologies. Against this background, NaCRRI in conjunction withContinue reading "Focus on end user preferences; a paradigm shift in cassava variety development"

Participants tasting the cooked cassava during the sensory evaluation exercise A sensory evaluation of soon to be released cassava varieties was conducted by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), farmers and NaCRRI staff on 29 April, 2021. The exercise—part of mandatory inspection procedures of candidate (near release) varieties by MAAIF—Continue reading "Quality first: Near-release cassava varieties undergo sensory evaluation at NaCRRI"

H.E Fukuzawa (pointing) touring rice plots at Nakyesasa On May 5, 2021, the new Japanese ambassador to Uganda, H.E Fukuzawa Hidemoto visited the Institute to learn about the progress of the second phase of the Promotion of Rice Development (PRiDe) Project. The ambassador was impressed by the progress and achievements on the project and pledged continuedContinue reading "Japanese Ambassador to Uganda visits NaCRRI"

Oloka BM, da Silva Pereira G, Amankwaah VA, Mollinari M, Pecota KV, Yada B, Olukolu BA, Zeng ZB, Craig Yencho G. Discovery of a major QTL for root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) resistance in cultivated sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas). Theor Appl Genet. 2021 Apr 3. doi: 10.1007/s00122-021-03797-z. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33813604.Abincha, Wilfred; Ikeogu, Ugochukwu N.;Continue reading "Recent Publications"

NaCRRI is partnering with Feed the Future-Inclusive Agricultural Market Activity to promote access and utilization of high-iron and zinc bean technologies and innovations in Karamoja sub-region and identity and promote commercially viable technologies value addition for beans.The Korean International Coorperation Agency (KOICA) has earmarked USD 8 million for capacity building towards Uganda’s seed value chainContinue reading "New Partnerships"

An improved sweet potato variety developed at NaCRRI NaCRRI is exploring new and more innovative approaches to ramp-up uptake and access to improved sweet potato varieties in Eastern Uganda. Under the auspices of the SweetGains project, the institute is taking aim at addressing challenges of access to quality vines at affordable prices. On 10th -12thContinue reading "NaCRRI in new dissemination drive for improved sweet potato in Busoga"