By Cremilda Macuácua,China Africa News
March 4, 2026, Kampala, Uganda — Chinese agricultural expertise has markedly increased rice production and farmers’ incomes in Uganda’s eastern Butaleja District, according to a report by China Daily.
In the wetlands of Butaleja, rice paddies once yielded modest harvests under traditional methods. But under the FAO‑China‑Uganda South‑South Cooperation initiative, farmers have adopted Chinese hybrid rice varieties and modern agronomic practices that have significantly lifted output.
Local rice grower Robert Sagula described a dramatic transformation: where yields were once low, hybrid varieties now deliver far larger harvests. Training provided by Chinese experts on soil preparation, planting, fertilisation, and other techniques has helped farmers make the most of these high‑yield seeds, boosting both production and household income.
The initiative, part of broader agricultural cooperation between China and Uganda, has included demonstration plots and hands‑on mentoring, encouraging wider adoption of improved practices among smallholder farmers.
Officials say the collaboration has implications beyond rice, contributing to skills development and laying groundwork for broader agricultural modernization efforts in the region.
