agriculture 1 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
NaSARRI Scientists Team Up with Farmers to Develop High-Yield Simsim Varieties
Researchers at Uganda's National Agricultural Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute are collaborating with farmers to breed new simsim varieties featuring desirable traits like strong aroma, high oil content, and pest resistance. This initiative aims to boost yields and meet demands for confectionery, oil processing, and export markets. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/farming/scientists-engage-farmers-in-breeding-quality-simsim-varieties-to-achieve-better-yield-5443808
Simsim, or sesame, plays a vital role as a cash and food security crop for smallholder farmers in northern, eastern, and West Nile regions of Uganda. The country ranks as Africa’s second-largest producer and fifth globally, thanks to its oil-rich seeds sought after locally and abroad.
Scientists at the National Agricultural Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI) are working directly with farmers to identify key traits for improving existing varieties and developing new ones. Programme leader Dr. Walter Anyanga emphasizes the importance of farmer input in this process, funded by a three-year project from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT).
Traditional varieties like Ajimo, Acara, and Ladong suffer from low yields, uneven capsule opening, long maturity periods, and vulnerability to pests such as web worms and gall midges, plus diseases like anthracnose. Since 2002, NaSARRI has released Sesim I, II, and III, with the latter two gaining popularity for their drought tolerance, high oil content up to 48 percent, and pest resistance.
Farmers are pushing for new breeds with appealing aroma for confectionery, seeds ideal for paste and oil extraction, white or gold colors, larger seed size, uniform short maturity, soft texture, multi-branching for higher capsule yields, and essential fatty acids for health benefits. Four new varieties are slated for release by year’s end.
NaSARRI Director Dr. David Kalule Okello highlights simsim’s potential to cut oil imports, with current production at 100,000-173,000 tons annually and improved yields reaching 700kg per hectare. The crop’s inbred nature allows seeds to remain viable for five years, enabling farmers to save their own.
In Dokolo District, farmer Agness Owinyi processes over 1,000kg of quality seed yearly, selling at Shs6,000-8,000 per kg. She farms up to 10 acres in the second season, follows strict practices like prompt weeding and natural pest control, and eyes value-added products like soap and oil while supplying UAE buyers.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)