Drought resistant maize seeds will be ready for use in 2016, experts have said. Confined field trials on the seeds are taking place at the National Crops Resource Research Institute at Namulonge.

Joseph Kikafunda, a researcher at the institute said the initiative would help farmers continue with production during drought. Kikafunda was speaking at a meeting for Kasese district stakeholders at Rwenzori International Hotel in Kasese Municipality recently.

The meeting was aimed at updating stakeholders on the progress of the research. It was held under the theme ‘Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa.’

The research is funded under the Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) Project. Presenting a paper on the status of the field trials of WEMA maize in Uganda, Kikafunda warned that the country would experience drought more often due to changes in global climatic conditions.

“We have to mobilise people to adopt modern farming methods, otherwise, the country is at risk of famine,” Kikafunda said.

He advised farmers to use modern farming methods to get higher yields for sale and consumption.

Johnson Mutungwanda, the assistant chief administrative Officer, expressed concern over the laxity by residents to adopt modern farming techniques.

Mutungwanda asked the team to sensitise masses on the benefits of yellow maize, saying some people had spread rumours that it had side-effects.

Deputy resident district commissioner Aminadab Muhindo urged scientists to sensitise masses on modern farming methods.

He urged residents to work hard to fight poverty.

Muhindo hailed the leadership of the National Crops Resource Research Institute for selecting the district to benefit from WEMA maize project.

The meeting was attended by district leaders, model farmers, the Media and representatives of NGOs.

Experts say a drought-tolerant seeds can tolerate erratic weather patterns and yield greater crops.

The initiative has been welcomed by many countries in Africa as a strategy to boost food security among households.

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