Uganda National Rice Development Strategy (NRDS) 2008-2018.

This National Rice Development Strategy is a nationwide sectoral document aiming at (i) improving rice production; (ii) promoting processing and value-addition for sufficient quality rice that meets domestic consumption needs and surplus for export in order to improve household food security and increase household income. To achieve the overall goal, the following Strategic Objectives need to be met (i) strengthen the institutional and policy framework for rice promotion; (ii) increase rice production and productivity; (iii) improve the quality of un-milled and milled rice on the market.
To make rice cultivation more productive and sustainable, the following activities are suggested (i) rice variety development together with the improvement of varietal release mechanisms; (ii) genetic resource conservation; (iii) soil fertility and natural resource management in rice agroecosystems; (iv) water management; (v) production and certification of high-quality seeds through capacity building in seed production; (vi) enhancement of availability of fertilizer at the required time, quantities and quality together with supporting the development of a policy on fertilizer usage and soil management; (vii) ensuring of required quality of fertilizer before dissemination; (viii) refurbishment of current irrigation infrastructure and set up of new irrigation infrastructure; (ix) acquisition of agricultural machinery and equipment for land preparation, agronomy, irrigation, and post-harvest.
In order to enhance more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems, the Strategy proposes to (i) increase participation of rice stakeholders in advocating for rice-related policies; (ii) train staff in rice promotion, production, and post-harvest handling technologies; (iii) improve facilities in rice development institutions; (iv) reduce the cost of fertilizers to make them more affordable; (v) avail market information on rice quality and standards, and processing equipment; (vi) support establishment of storage facilities at local, communal and national level; (vii) identify a market niche that gives high prices; (viii) improve rice quality; (ix) promote packaging and branding; (x) introduce an agricultural loan financing scheme.
As for Governance, the Government through MAAIF will oversee the entire NRDS implementation process. MAAIF constituted the Rice Steering Committee (RSC) to oversee and guide the formulation and implementation of rice related polices. In addition to the RSC, a Rice Technical Committee (RTC) was constituted as well as a Rice Industry Secretariat (RIS). The RSC through the RTC will coordinate the responsible Government agencies in guidance, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of the NRDS implementation process.