NARO, JICA Edge Closer to Releasing New Aromatic Rice Varieties

Uganda is inching closer to a major agricultural breakthrough as scientists finalize testing of new aromatic rice varieties set to replace the popularly imported basmati and super rice. 

The innovation has been driven by the soaring demand for aromatic rice, which seen researchers at the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) racing to deliver homegrown basmati and supa varieties that can match imported grain in quality, aroma, and yield.

Developed under the Promotion of Sustainable Rice Development (ECO-PRiDe) Project and funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the new varieties signal a turning point that could boost farmer incomes, strengthen food security, and save the country billions spent annually on rice imports

Responding to the concerns of rice growing on the environment, Dr. Titus Alicai: Director of Research at the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI, and National Project Coordinator for 'Eco-PRiDe, noted that the project was developing an evidence-based blueprint on how to raise productivity while reducing the environmental footprint of rice production.

Dr. Jimmy Lamo, a rice breeder and Cereals Program Leader at NARO, said the varieties also address long-standing challenges faced by rice farmers in Uganda

"These aromatic varieties dominate the market, but the ones currently grown in Uganda are highly susceptible to disease and give low yields," Dr. Lamo noted, adding: "We have now developed improved lines using resistant parent seeds. They are under advanced testing across six locations including Doho Irrigation Scheme in Butaleja.

He made the remarks on the sidelines of the second Joint Technical Committee (JTC) Meeting of the Eco-PRiDe Project, held on 11 December 2025 at City Resor Hotel in Butaleja District.

Hosted by NARO's Buginyanya Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (BugiZARDI), the meeting brought together researchers, policymakers, and development partners to review advances in sustainable rice production

Dr. Lamo revealed that farmers, millers, and value chain actors are participating in cooking and milling evaluations as part of the final assessment before approval is delivered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the National Variety Release Committee