agriculture 11 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Ugandan Scientists Launch Climate-Resilient Banana Farming Project
Researchers from NaRL, Makerere University, and Uganda Banana Producers Cooperative Union have initiated a five-year project to boost banana resilience against climate change impacts like drought, pests, and soil degradation. Funded by Denmark with Shs5 billion, the effort focuses on drought-tolerant varieties, beneficial microbes, efficient irrigation, and organic soil practices. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/farming/scientists-develop-climate-resilient-banana-farming-breeding-methods-5419982
Scientists in Uganda are tackling declining banana yields through a new climate-resilient project. Banana, a key economic crop, suffers from low productivity on smallholder farms due to climate-induced water stress, pests, diseases, and poor soil fertility. Potential yields could reach 70 tonnes per hectare annually, but current outputs hover at 10-30 tonnes.
Launched at the National Agriculture Research Laboratories (NaRL), the five-year ‘Climate Resilient Banana Production in Uganda’ initiative started in January last year. Funded by the Government of Denmark with 10 million Danish krone (about Shs5 billion), it involves six PhD students and two Master’s candidates supervised by NaRL and Makerere University experts.
Key efforts include screening drought-tolerant, pest- and disease-resistant banana varieties. The project promotes soil management via mulching, intercropping, and organic manure, alongside beneficial microorganisms to curb diseases and optimized drip or sprinkler irrigation to save water.
NaRL Director Rooboni Tumuhimbise, the principal investigator, highlighted the yield gap caused by climate challenges. Danish Ambassador Signe Winding Albjerg noted how dry spells and erratic rains boost pests, pledging continued support for such research.
Makerere’s Dr. Yazid Tamuzade detailed climate threats like reduced soil moisture, premature fruit ripening, and diseases such as banana bunchy top virus and Fusarium wilt, which undermine food security. Field trials in western and central Uganda aim to deliver practical solutions.
Specialized teams will test microorganisms from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, intercropping with crops like coffee, and organic amendments for better soil fertility.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)