Uganda and the Republic of Korea have launched a five-year rice seed project aimed at transforming production in the Tochi Irrigation Scheme in Oyam District.
The initiative, valued at about $3.9 million (Shs14.8 billion), is expected to increase yields, improve farmer incomes, and strengthen Uganda’s position as part of the Korea Rice Belt Program.
The project, titled “Development of Africa Rice Seed Cultivation Complex in Uganda,” was unveiled on Monday by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) with support from the Government of the Republic of Korea through its Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA).
Under the program, 50 hectares of Block 5 of the Tochi Irrigation Scheme will be rehabilitated, while farmers will gain access to over 13,000 metric tons of high-quality rice seed. According to MAAIF, the project aims to boost annual yields to 2,158,000 metric tons by 2028.
Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze described the collaboration as a timely intervention that will enable Uganda to reduce rice imports and strengthen food security.
“This project is not only about rehabilitating infrastructure but also about equipping our farmers with the right technology, quality inputs, and training to increase productivity,” he said.
Officials noted that interventions would include civil works, technology transfer, and capacity building for farmers, ensuring the sustainability of rice seed production long after the project ends. The scheme is also expected to serve as a model for similar irrigation-based projects across the country.
Speaking at the launch, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Uganda, Park Sung-soo, reaffirmed his government’s commitment to supporting agricultural transformation in Africa.
“Rice is a staple for millions of people, and the Republic of Korea has valuable experience to share in modern cultivation techniques. By working with Uganda and other African partners, we hope to strengthen food security and improve farmer livelihoods,” he said.
Uganda now joins six other African nations — Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Ghana, Cameroon, and Kenya — under the Korea Rice Belt Program, which is designed to enhance rice seed cultivation and production capacity across the continent.
Local leaders welcomed the project, noting its potential to transform livelihoods in Oyam District, where many farmers struggle with low yields and poor access to quality seed.
“This initiative brings hope to our farmers who have long depended on traditional varieties. With improved seed and irrigation, we expect incomes to rise significantly,” said Oyam Woman MP Santa Alum.
Farmers at the launch expressed optimism that the project would tackle some of their biggest challenges. “We have always wanted better seed and training. Now we can see real opportunities to expand production and sell to wider markets,” said Paul Okello, a rice farmer in Tochi.
Uganda currently produces about 220,000 metric tons of rice annually, according to government statistics, but demand exceeds 300,000 metric tons, leaving a deficit covered by imports. Officials say the project will not only reduce this gap but also position Uganda as a potential exporter of rice seed in the region.
As part of its broader agricultural strategy, the government is banking on rice as both a food security crop and an income-generating commodity for rural households. With the Republic of Korea-supported project, Oyam farmers are expected to be among the first beneficiaries of a new era of commercial rice farming.
