National Agricultural Research Organization Research Articles

Impact of Improved Maize and Bean Varieties on Household Income and Food Security in Uganda.

The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and development partners have invested substantial resources in breeding maize and bean varieties over the years. However, the impact of the varieties on productivity, household income and food security is not well documented. This paper evaluated the ex-post impact of adopting NARO released bean and maize varieties over the last five years on the productivity, household income and food security in Uganda. Data were collected from 30 districts in Uganda through a cross-sectional household survey of 1445 households, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Using propensity score matching and endogenous switching regression models, the results showed that adoption of improved bean and maize varieties significantly increased crop productivity, household income and food security. This evidence suggests that there were tangible benefits from funding the development of bean and maize varieties in Uganda. The results indicate that although adoption of the improved bean and maize varieties increased productivity, it was still far below the research production output. This suggests that in addition to developing and disseminating the appropriate varieties, emphasis should be put on training farmers to use the complimentary inputs and practices to get the full benefit of the improved varieties.

The influence of gender specific decisions on household technology choice within the farming households in central Uganda

How households make decisions, who influences decision making and how members bargain over resources and opportunities greatly affects the livelihood and wellbeing of members within a given household. This study sought to understand gender specific decisions and their influence on household technology choice, packaging and adoption of agricultural technologies. Growing Bananas with Trees and Livestock (GBTL) technology system was implemented by National Agricultural Research Organisation and Bioversity International in three districts of Central Uganda: Kiboga, Nakaseke and Ssembabule. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA), typologies were created in which two distinct clusters of farming households were revealed. Using a bargaining model of technology adoption, three types of households were identified; male and female only, female only and male only headed households. For technology uptake, either a single component, two components or all components of a technology was adopted. Results indicated that Household size, age, land owned, labour and gender composition of the household positively influenced the adoption of the technology. Farm households were able to take up and adopt components of the technology that were equivalent to the available household resources. Technology choice and adoption was influenced by available land, labor and household objectives (food, income and nutrition security). Households' ability to avert the loss of production and/or assets was very varied and depended on household size. For non-business home expenses, decisions followed a gendered perspective where households with both male and female, had more participants involved in household decision making, households make decision jointly when it comes to purchases and sales. Banana plantations establishment and management was for the spouse. Livestock production was initiated and managed by the household heads. Individual decisions were influenced by age of the household head, livestock owner. Joint household’s decision making was significant on purchases, sales of inputs and outputs, land ownership, and were influenced by household size and farm size. This study brings out important policy implications that in order to ensure widespread adoption of improved technologies, there should be equitable access to complementary inputs, especially land and labour for females. And technology packaging should take into consideration the gender specific decisions for sustainable agricultural development. Key words: Decision making, Technology choice, adoption, Coffee banana farming system, Gender

Performance of Direct-Seeded Upland Rice-Based Intercropping Systems Under Paired Rows in East-West Orientation

Production potential of rice based intercropping systems with legumes in Uganda is little known. Studies were conducted at Ikulwe Station of the National Agricultural Research Organisation to evaluate upland rice-based intercropping systems under paired-rows in the EW direction. A randomized complete block design with 3 replications was adopted during 2022 and 2023 with 8 pure stand and intercropped treatments. Adjustment from conventional planting to paired rows recorded high rice height and significant 1000 seed weights. In 2022 the 2 pure rice treatments produced significantly more tillers and panicles but legume intercrops reduced numbers of rice tillers and panicles. Intercropping significantly reduced the beans height (48%) and soybean pods (41%) during both years and also reduced the pods filling for beans (66%), groundnuts (36%) and soybeans (18.3%) during 2022. Although paired rice did not influence rice yield during both years, lower mean yield for rice (19.8%), beans (35%), groundnuts (33%) and soybeans (30.5%) were recorded. Lower legume intercrop yields were similarly recorded for beans (70%), groundnuts (73%) and soybeans (62%) during 2023. Partial (p) land equivalent ratios (LER) for intercrops were not significant and less than unity, but the one for rice intercropped with beans increased to more than unity (1.06) during 2023. All combined LER for rice-legumes were more than unity and the pLER of sole crops was 1.0. Rice + beans recorded high area time equivalent ratio during the 2 years while high relative equivalent yield and monetary advantage indices were recorded under rice + soybeans. Rice was more aggressive than other crops and intercropped treatments recorded higher Total Rice Grain yield equivalent (TRGYE) than sole rice. Rice + soybeans (2022) and rice + beans (2023) scored higher TRGY. The findings suggest that farmers can intercrop soybean in rice under paired rows in EW orientation for more benefits.

Effects of Intercropping on Maize and Soybean Yield Performance, Land Equivalent Ratio, and Maize Leaf Area in Conservation Agriculture

Maize-soybean intercropping systems as a conservation farming practice are receiving increased focus from the scientific community. This is because of the advantages of intercropping, especially nutrient benefits through cereal-legume interactions, alternative sustainable methods to manage biotic stress (pests, diseases, weeds), and crop failure risk management due to erratic weather. In addition, smallholders in developing countries commonly use intercropping to produce crops. In Uganda, 40% of smallholder farmers are practicing intercropping yet no adequate location-specific information is available to inform their practice. Farmers who adopted conservation farming practices did not mulch their maize due to drudgery associated with collecting mulch. This study evaluated the effect of two tillage methods (T1 = Conventional tillage using ox drawn mould board plough, T2 = Minimum tillage using ox drawn ripper) and five soil cover practices (SC1 = Mulched Maize, SC2 = Control no mulch, SC3 = Two rows of soybean in between one row of maize, SC4 = One row of soybean in between one row of maize, SC5 = Sole soybean) on maize and soybean yield performance. The trials were established for 4 rainy seasons on a sandy loam ferrosol at National Agricultural Research Organization Institute in Lira, Uganda. Soil cover practice had a significant effect on maize and soybean crop Yield. Mulching significantly increased maize yield and LAI. The LER for both intercropping partterns were above 1.2. Tillage methods were not significantly different in determining crop performance. The practice of minimum tillage should also be adopted because it enhances the positive effects of soil cover (intercropping). We recommend farmers to adopt the intercropping pattern of one row of soybean in between maize row spaced at 75 × 30 cm for better LER, and crop performance. This intercropping pattern maximizes on available resources to deliver better output in conservation farming. Maize crop generally performed better during first season as compared to second season. We recommend farmers to utilize the first rains as the main maize production season.

Seed credit model in Uganda”: Participation and empowerment dynamics among smallholder women and men farmers

Seed is life and can be a source of empowerment and disempowerment for women and men farmers. In this study, to close the gender gaps in seed, the Community Enterprises Development Organization, the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT and the National Agricultural Research Organization developed a seed credit model available to men and women belonging to farmer groups. A mixed method was used to collect information from two districts in central Uganda on how the seed credit model reconstructed access, use, control and resulting benefits. Results showed that the provision of the seed credit model was considered a blessing even though it had many nuances. As a result of the seed credit model, we saw increased productivity in women's fields, increased income and decision making over income incurred from the sale of their crops. Their social status has been enhanced, and they now occupy a place of respect in their communities and households, where they can make decisions and get assets like houses and land. While it increased productivity, income and enhanced food and nutrition security needs of the family, it also changed power dynamics within the household as women become more empowered. To maintain power relations, men limited women's access to fertile land and family labor, which defined the quantity of seed gotten from the seed credit model. Women's participation and involvement in the seed credit model decreased over time as they were expected to pay their spouses' seed loans. Men's participation decreased because they were no longer entrusted with seed loans as their payment rate was very low. As we reap positive benefits, we have to ensure we don't ‘do harm’ when empowering our beneficiaries.

Genetic trends for yield and key agronomic traits in pre-commercial and commercial maize varieties between 2008 and 2020 in Uganda.

Estimating genetic gains is vital to optimize breeding programs for increased efficiency. Genetic gains should translate into productivity gains if returns to investments in breeding and impact are to be realized. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic gain for grain yield and key agronomic traits in pre-commercial and commercial maize varieties from public and private breeding programs tested in (i) national performance trials (NPT), (ii) era trial and, (iii) compare the trends with the national average. The study used (i) historical NPT data on 419 improved maize varieties evaluated in 23 trials at 6-8 locations each between 2008 and 2020, and (ii) data from an era trial of 54 maize hybrids released between 1999 and 2020. The NPT data was first analyzed using a mixed model and resulting estimate for each entry was regressed onto its first year of testing. Analysis was done over all entries, only entries from National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), or private seed companies. Estimated genetic gain was 2.25% or 81 kg ha-1 year-1 from the NPT analysis. A comparison of genetic trends by source indicated that CIMMYT entries had a gain of 1.98% year-1 or 106 kg ha-1 year-1. In contrast, NARO and private sector maize entries recorded genetic gains of 1.30% year-1 (59 kg ha-1 year-1) and 1.71% year-1 (79 kg ha-1 year-1), respectively. Varieties from NARO and private sector showed comparable mean yields of 4.56 t ha-1 and 4.62 t ha-1, respectively, while hybrids from CIMMYT had a mean of 5.37 t ha-1. Era analysis indicated significant genetic gain of 1.69% year-1 or 55 kg ha-1 year-1, while a significant national productivity gain of 1.48% year-1 (37 kg ha-1 year-1) was obtained. The study, thus, demonstrated the importance of public-private partnerships in development and delivery of new genetics to farmers in Uganda.

Monitoring the Subolesin Vaccine Field Trial for Safer Control of Cattle Ticks Amidst Increasing Acaricide Resistance in Uganda.

A collaboration program was established between the group of Health and Biotechnology (SaBio) of the IREC Institute of Game and Wildlife Research (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Spain) and the National Agricultural Research Organization of Uganda (NARO) for the development of vaccines for the control of cattle ticks in Uganda. Controlled pen trials identified a tick protective antigen, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Subolesin, and a cross-species-effective vaccine formulation. As the next step, a controlled vaccine field trial has been approved by Ugandan state regulatory authorities, the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) and the National Drug Authority (NDA), to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of the vaccine formulation for the control of cattle tick infestations under field conditions. The results of this trial may lead to the approval of the vaccine for application in Uganda to improve cattle health and production while reducing the use of acaricides.

The social and economic diversity of the coffee-banana farming system and technology uptake in Central Uganda

Food systems of the future that will guarantee food and nutrition security of millions of poor farming households will have to be both economically and socially diverse. Diversity of farming systems acts as a catalyst for innovation, commercialisation as well as technology adoption. This study sought to find farm typologies and explore the social, enterprise and economic diversity of the various farm types based on a promoted Growing Bananas with Trees and Livestock (GBTL) technology system that was implemented by National Agricultural Research Organisation and Bioversity International in three districts of Central Uganda, Kiboga, Nakaseke and Ssembabule. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA), typologies were created in which two distinct clusters of farming households were revealed. Further analysis of the clusters through Food Consumption Scores, food classes, and other descriptive statistics indicated that the two clusters were socially and economically diverse. Findings indicated that Cluster 1 is made up of smaller farms with high crop diversity. Families in Cluster 1 sell more of their produce and subsequently have lower food security compared to the land-abundant, off-farm earning and more food secure Cluster 2. We failed to reject the hypothesis that socially and economically diverse farmers adopt technologies more given that the level of GBTL adoption was about 25% and about 70% for Banana + Goats within both clusters.

Tomato seed value chain analysis and seed conditioning among seed companies in Uganda

Tomatoes increase nutritional food security and income among Ugandan smallholder farmers who have limited access to high quality seed. The objective of this study was to analyze the current tomato seed value chain for Uganda. Survey responses determined roles of key participants, including Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) for regulation and certification; National Agricultural Research Organization for breeding cultivars and seed multiplication; Makerere University for education and research; commercial seed companies for seed importation and conditioning; seed distributors for sales; and smallholder farmers as savers and end users of seed. Challenges included an inefficient domestic seed distribution system, technical constraints in seed production and conditioning by seed companies, inadequate networks and communication among the seed industry’s key participants, and partial regulation of the seed industry. Seed companies played a key role in seed conditioning processes. Companies imported all tomato seeds into Uganda and stated germination as their primary goal for quality. Challenges for seed companies included assistance from MAAIF to regulate and certify seed and access to improved technologies. Attaining high quality seed by commercial Uganda-parent companies will require additional investment and training of seed technologists for domestic testing and seed quality assurance.

The potential of in-situ hyperspectral remote sensing for differentiating 12 banana genotypes grown in Uganda

Bananas and plantains provide food and income for more than 50 million smallholder farmers in East and Central African (ECA) countries. However, banana productivity generally achieves less than optimal yield potential (<30%) in most regions, including Uganda. Numerous studies have been undertaken to identify the key challenges that smallholder banana growers face at different stages of the banana value chain, with one of the main constraints being a lack of policy-relevant agricultural data. The World Bank (WB) initiated a methodological survey design aimed at identifying the distribution of banana varieties across a number of key Ugandan growing regions, at the individual household scale. To achieve this outcome a number of approaches including ground-based surveys, DNA tissue collection of selected banana plants and remote sensing were evaluated. For the remote sensing component, the set objectives were to develop statistical models from the hyperspectral reflectance properties of individual leaves that could differentiate typical ECA banana varieties, as well as their parentage (usage). The study also explored the potential of extrapolating the ground-based hyperspectral measures to high-resolution WorldView-3 (WV3) satellite imagery, therefore creating the potential of mapping the distribution of banana varieties at a regional scale. The DNA testing of 43 banana varieties propagated at the National Banana Research Program site at National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) research station in Kampala, Uganda, identified 12 genetically different varieties. A canonical powered partial least square (CPPLS) model developed from hyperspectral reflectance properties of the sampled banana leaves successfully differentiated BLU, BOG, GON, GRO and KAY genotypes. The Random Forest (RF) algorithm was also evaluated to determine if spectral bands coinciding with those provided by WV3 data could segregate banana varieties. The results suggested that this was achievable and as such presents an opportunity to extrapolate the hyperspectral classifications to broader areas of land. The ability to spectrally differentiate these five genotypes has merit as they are not typical east African varieties. As such, identifying the distribution and density of these varieties across Uganda provides vital information to the banana breeders of NARO of where their new varieties are being disseminated too, data that has been previously difficult to obtain. Although the results from this pilot study indicated that not all banana varieties could be spectrally differentiated, the methodology developed and the positive results that were achieved do present remote sensing as a complimentary technology to the ongoing surveying of banana and other crop types grown within Ugandan household farming systems.

Towards a Multidisciplinary Approach to Improve Cattle Health and Production in Uganda.

A meeting and course supported by the Vice-Presidency for International Affairs of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the National Agricultural Research Organization of Uganda (NARO) were held at the National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI) in Nakyesasa, Wakiso, Uganda on September 2–9, 2019. The activities were conducted within the collaboration program between the Institute of Game and Wildlife Research (IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Spain) and NARO for the development of vaccines and other interventions for the control of cattle ticks in Uganda.

Evaluation of banana germplasm and genetic analysis of an F1 population for resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 1

Fusarium wilt of bananas (Musa spp.), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) causes up to 100% yield loss in bananas. Foc race 1 in particular is very devastating to dessert bananas in Uganda. One of the effective control strategies for the disease is the development of resistant cultivars through breeding. The objectives of this study were to identify suitable banana germplasm for generating a segregating population for resistance to Foc race 1 and understand the mode of inheritance of resistance to Foc race 1. Twenty-two banana accessions sourced from the National Agricultural Research Organisation in Uganda were challenged with Foc race 1 in a screen house experiment. Monyet, resistant to Foc race 1 and Kokopo, susceptible, were selected and crossed to generate 142 F1 genotypes. These F1 genotypes were also challenged with Foc race 1 in a screen house experiment. Data were collected on rhizome discoloration index (RDI), leaf symptom index (LSI) and pseudo-stem splitting (PSS), and analysed for variability. The banana accessions evaluated showed varying degrees of resistance to Foc race 1. Segregation ratios for resistant versus susceptible progenies fitted 13:3 (χ2 = 0.12, P = 0.73) for RDI and 11:5 (χ2 = 3.04, P = 0.08) for PSS. Estimated broad sense heritability was 27.8% for RDI, 13.9% for LSI and 14.7% for PSS. The results suggest that resistance to Foc race 1 in banana is controlled by at least two dominant genes with epistatic interaction and that heritability of resistance to Foc race 1 is low in Musa spp.

Use, Production and Existence of Local Artemia Resources in Uganda and Africa: A Review

The research was funded by National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) of Uganda. Abstract This study was aimed at reporting the existing Artemia habitats, its use and production in Uganda and Africa as a continent. In light of the great importance of Artemia as a starter feed in the aquaculture industry, its current shortage in supply, the need for commercial exploitation of local Artemia resources and development of new Artemia resources. Over 50 peer reviewed journal articles were reviewed to provide an understanding of the current status of Artemia use, production and existence of local existing Artemia resources in Uganda and Africa as continent. The study revealed neither local occurring Artemia resources nor commercial Artemia production is currently existent in Uganda, with its use mainly restricted to a few existing commercial hatcheries. Generally Artemia use in Africa is mainly restricted to the few commercial fish hatcheries. Literatures points to North African countries boarding the Mediterranean to be leading in the number of Artemia sites and production in Africa. Keywords : Artemia habitats, Hypersaline lakes, Aquaculture DOI : 10.7176/JNSR/9-18-04 Publication date :September 30 th 2019

Hatchability of Selected Commercial Artemia Strains Using Waters from Selected Saline Crater Lakes of Western Uganda

The research was funded by National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) of Uganda. Abstract Hatchability of Artemia strains; Artemia franciscana from Great Salt Lake (GSL), A. franciscana from salt ponds in Vin Chao (VC), Chinese strain (Chinese), TUZ Parthenogetic Artemia from Kazakhstan (TUZ) and Parthenogenetic Artemia strain from Siberia (PAS) was examined using waters from lakes Katwe, Mururmuri, Bunyampaka, Bagusa and Maseche. The study purpose was to identify the best performing Artemia strain as well as the best suited saline crater lakes in Western Uganda for Artemia production based on hatchability. Artemia cysts were hatched under conditions described by Van Stappen (1996) in fabricated Artemia hatching cones at a salinity of 40ppm, temperature of 27±2°C, and light of 2000lux. Hatchability was monitored after 24hour and 48hour of incubation. Artemia franciscana (VC) had significantly higher hatching percentage than all tested strains (P-value &lt;0.05). Lakes Katwe, Bunyampaka and Maseche waters presented the highest hatching percentages therefore are best suited for Artemia production. Keywords : Artemia , Hatching percentage, saline crater lakes DOI : 10.7176/JNSR/9-18-05 Publication date :September 30 th 2019

Crossbreeding East African Highland Bananas: Lessons Learnt Relevant to the Botany of the Crop After 21 Years of Genetic Enhancement.

East African highland bananas (EAHB) were regarded as sterile. Their screening for female fertility with “Calcutta 4” as male parent revealed that 37 EAHB were fertile. This was the foundation for the establishment of the EAHB crossbreeding programs by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) in Uganda in the mid-1990s. The aim of this study was to assess the progress and efficiency of the EAHB breeding program at IITA, Sendusu in Uganda. Data on pollinations, seeds generated and germinated, plus hybrids selected between 1995 and 2015 were analyzed. Pollination success and seed germination percentages for different cross combinations were calculated. The month of pollination did not result in significantly different (P = 0.501) pollination success. Musa acuminata subsp. malaccensis accession 250 had the highest pollination success (66.8%), followed by the cultivar “Rose” (66.6%) among the diploid males. Twenty-five EAHB out of 41 studied for female fertility produced up to 305 seeds per pollinated bunch, and were therefore deemed fertile. The percentage of seed germination varied among crosses: 26% for 2x × 4x, 23% for 2x × 2x, 11% for 3x × 2x, and 7% for 4x × 2x. Twenty-seven NARITA hybrids (mostly secondary triploids ensuing from the 4x × 2x) were selected for further evaluation in the East African region. One so far –“NARITA 7”– was officially released to farmers in Uganda. Although pollination of EAHB can be conducted throughout the year, the seed set and germination is low. Thus, further research on pollination conditions and optimization of embryo culture protocols should be done to boost seed set and embryo germination, respectively. More research in floral biology and seed germination as well as other breeding strategies are required to increase the efficiency of the EAHB breeding program.

Science Communication Models for Agricultural Transformation in Uganda

This paper focuses on the models of science communication used to promote and support use of agricultural research outputs in Uganda. It also explores quasi-novel approaches of making agricultural research more visible to end-users through strategic communications and extension models that are hoped to increase adoption rates in Uganda. Surveys, literature review and key informants were used to evaluate the communication efforts by the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) - the apex body for agriculture research in Uganda. The findings indicated that 31% of respondents perceived NARO as a source of poor products and services. This has resulted in distrust, which is largely attributed to use of ineffective models of communication used in the past. Different approaches of communication and extension are proposed as flagship models that can be implemented through NARO’s projects, private extension partners and, in some cases, through partnership with the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS). These communication and outreach strategies can improve understanding of the technologies, and consequently influence adoption of NARO technologies for improvement of the agricultural sector.Keywords: Agricultural research, Extension, NARO Uganda, Outreach

NARO International Symposium on Weedy Rice

Weed Biology and ManagementVolume 18, Issue 3 p. 146-148 Symposium Abstract NARO International Symposium on Weedy Rice Weedy Rice, the stranger in our midst. Can we get along? Hosted by National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) in corporation with Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society (APWSS) September 19, 2017 Kyoto, Japan, Hosted by National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) in corporation with Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society (APWSS) September 19, 2017 Kyoto, JapanSearch for more papers by this author Hosted by National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) in corporation with Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society (APWSS) September 19, 2017 Kyoto, Japan, Hosted by National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) in corporation with Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society (APWSS) September 19, 2017 Kyoto, JapanSearch for more papers by this author First published: 02 September 2018 https://doi.org/10.1111/wbm.12153Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume18, Issue3September 2018Pages 146-148 RelatedInformation

English

Groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) are the second most important legume crops after beans, an important source of protein (23 to 25%), fats/oils (40 to 52%) and carbohydrates (10 to 20 %) and widely grown and consumed in Uganda including the Lake Albert Crescent Zone (LACZ). Due to susceptibility of local varieties to groundnut rosette, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) through the National Semi Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI) developed and released the serenut varieties. Adaptive trials were therefore established in the LACZ, to select the most location specific adapted varieties for promotion in this ecologically diverse zone. Four serenut varieties namely serenut 5, 8, 10 and 14 and a locally grown variety (Red beauty) were planted on three farmers’ fields in each of the three sub-ecological areas. Data were collected on total pod dry weight (yield), number of pods and on 100 seed weight. In this study, we show that overall yields of serenut 5, serenut 14, serenut 8 and serenut 10 were highly significantly (P < 0.001) different for all traits measured across the sub-ecological areas. Best yields were recorded from the humid tropical rain forest sub-ecological area where 1900 kg/ha were obtained for serenut 14, 2366 kg/ha for serenut 10, 1763 kg/ha for serenut 8 and 1795 kg/ha for serenut 5. The yields obtained from these varieties were generally worst in the semi-arid sub-ecological area. These serenut varieties are generally adapted to wider environmental conditions although their performance per se was found to be generally inconsistent. This study has also found that among all the varieties tested, Serenut 5 was the best adapted across all the sub-ecologies. Overall, we therefore recommend farmers in this ecologically diverse zone to grow these groundnut varieties with improved growing practices such as timely planting, timely weeding, earthing up and pest and disease management in order to obtain consistent high yields. Key words: Groundnut, performance, stability, sub-ecological area.

An institutional diagnostics of agricultural innovation; public-private partnerships and smallholder production in Uganda

This paper presents and discusses a diagnostic framework to identify institutional processes in the creation of public-private partnerships (PPPs) for agricultural innovation. The diagnostic framework proposed here combines a conceptualisation of institutions with a conceptualisation of technology. We argue that a performative notion of institutions provides a better tool for institutional diagnostics than the common understanding of institutions as ‘rules of the game’. The paper furthermore proposes to conceptualise technology as affordance, in contrast to a more common understanding of technology as an input. We explore the value of our diagnostic framework by analysing the literature on PPPs for agricultural innovation and unpublished data from a PPP initiative for smallholder sorghum production, based on an agreement between Uganda’s National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and Nile Breweries Limited (NBL). In the discussion and conclusion section we evaluate the benefits of our diagnostic framework and discuss how the empirical issues it brings forward create important lessons for analysis of innovation for African smallholder farming and institutional diagnostics more generally.

Selection of cooking banana genotypes for yield and black Sigatoka resistance in different locations in Uganda

It is imperative to systematically evaluate new banana genotypes in different locations before national release. This enables selection and recommendation of superior genotypes as new varieties for a wider range of environments. The objective of the present study was to select banana genotypes with stable and high performance for bunch yield and leaf black Sigatoka resistance. Eleven cooking banana genotypes developed by the Uganda National Agricultural Research Organization in collaboration with Bioversity International, and two check varieties were evaluated in multi-location preliminary yield trials in Uganda. Data collected were analyzed using Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) model, AMMI Stability Value, and Genotype Selection Index (GSI). Genotype × location interaction was significant for all the traits assessed. Most of the new genotypes had low interaction effects with locations for bunch yield (69.2%) and black Sigatoka (92.3%). The most stable genotypes for bunch yield were NABIO815, NABIO1117, NABIO216 and NABIO306 whereas for black Sigatoka resistance, were NABIO1011, NABIO815, NABIO1009 and NABIO216. Using the GSI that defines the most desirable genotypes as those that combine high agronomic performance and stability across environments, four genotypes (NABIO306, NABIO1011, NABIO808 and NABIO1009) were selected. These genotypes, in addition to their high performance for agronomic traits and stability, had soft and yellow fruit pulp on cooking, and will be advanced on farm for further evaluation. Key words: Banana breeding, AMMI, AMMI stability value, genotype selection index.