The Harvest Money Expo presented opportunities for farmers to interact with seed agencies, companies and dealers.
The interface was a valuable opportunity for both parties to understand the dynamics of the seed sector.
Farmers learnt how to identify good-quality seeds, where to find them and the best agronomic practices for high production and productivity.
Seed companies, in turn, received feedback on what farmers want from seeds.
Dr Godfrey Asia, a crop breeder at the National Crops Research Resources Institute under the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), expressed concern that Uganda’s adoption of improved seeds is only at 35%.
He noted that using improved seeds can more than double production.
Asia praised the team for the report, saying it would assist them in research and the introduction of more varieties.
He explained that while much focus has been placed on production, producers are often the very consumers, meaning they will always choose what tastes best.
“Farmers have, at times, rejected varieties that don’t meet their taste preferences, and instead stuck to their local varieties, which have proven valuable to them,” Asia said.
He added that there is a need to promote mechanisation, value addition, and farmer sensitisation regarding new varieties, as these will lead to improved production and productivity.
Asia stressed the importance of farmers purchasing improved seed in every planting season. He used maize as an example: from 1kg of seed that costs sh10,000, a farmer could harvest up to 100kg of grain.
“If sold at sh600 per kilogramme, the farmer will earn sh60,000. If you’re thinking of going commercial, you should be ready to invest,” Asia said.
Beans from NARO
The National Crops Resources Research Institute under National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), is tasked with researching, improving and developing crops with pest and disease resistance, climate resilience, tolerance to low soil fertility, yield improvement, pre- and post-harvest management, nutrition enhancement, industrial feasibility, genetic resources conservation, increased shelf-life and value addition, among other goals.
George William Kiwanuka, a research assistant with the National Legumes Programme at NARO-Namulonge, which promotes bean cultivation in the country, said during the Harvest Money Expo 2025, they exhibited bean varieties suited for both lowland and highland regions.
These varieties have special traits that promote high yields, allowing farmers to maximise profits. “We have NARO Bean varieties, including NARO Bean 6 and 7 which are drought-tolerant, and NARO Bean 1, 2 and 3, which are early-maturing, with high iron and zinc content, and are also high-yielding.
NARO Bean 4c and 5c are climbing beans suitable for highland and mountainous areas such as Kisoro, Kabale and the Elgon regions,” Kiwanuka said.
NARO trained farmers who visited their stall on best practices, including quality seed selection, such as knowing which variety is best for the area where it will be planted.
They also recommended planting in lines. NARO also sold seeds through its holding company.
Kiwanuka said the training covered four main focus areas:
Income generation: Farmers should view bean cultivation as a business and make a profit.
Nutritional benefits: NARO beans are nutritionally enhanced with zinc and iron.
Climate resilience: NARO beans are developed to withstand climatic changes, preventing farmers from losing money invested in bean farming.
For example, NARO Bean 6 and 7 are drought-tolerant, while other varieties are early-maturing, ensuring that farmers won’t lose their crops if rains do not come as expected.
Growing beans
Kiwanuka said to earn from bean farming, farmers need to consider the landscape of the area where they plan to plant their beans.
The location should not be waterlogged, as water causes the roots to rot. The soil should be ploughed twice to soften it, as beans have small roots.
Farmers should take the time to select the right seed variety suited to their area and plant at the beginning of the rainy season. Planting in rows ensures proper growth and timely care.
“Ensure you also harvest on time and handle the harvest properly. If you do everything right but mishandle the harvest, you will lose money in the end,” he advises.
Varieties according to season
Samuel Obua, the sales and distribution executive at NASSECO Seeds, says their company handles the entire seed production value chain — from research and seed development to production, processing and distribution.
“The seeds we produce take into account current climate change trends. We develop varieties that are drought-tolerant, high-yielding and resistant to pests and diseases,” he says.
However, Obua encourages farmers to select seed varieties based on the season. For example, a varieties like Swift take 105 days to mature, while the DT variety takes 110 days, but is drought-tolerant and can be planted during the first rains.
There are also varieties that require longer rains, such as Longe 10 (120 days) and Bazooka (125 days), which are higher-yielding, but should be planted during the second season, from July to December.
Deal with reliable seed producers
John Peter Okedi, a principal officer working in product promotion and distribution at Uganda Prisons, lauds Vision Group for the Harvest Money Expo, saying it is one of the biggest platforms for farmers to obtain useful information to engage in farming as a business.
“The Harvest Money Expo is an opportunity for us to promote our products as Uganda Prisons. We have a maize hybrid variety, UH5355, which is one of the highest yielding varieties in the country. We also have two high-yielding soy bean varieties, N6 and N3,” he says.
Uganda Prisons Service is not only responsible for the custody of offenders, but also produces high-quality farming products. Farmers should work with institutions that ensure quality.
“The Uganda Prisons Service guarantees quality products because we are not a profit-driven entity; our goal is to provide farmers with quality seeds to improve household income,” he says.
Value addition
George William Kiwanuka, a research assistant with the National Legumes Programme at NARO-Namulonge, said another aspect they exhibited was value addition, where they showcased super kawoomera porridge; a mixture of beans, grain amaranth, silverfish and soya beans.
“This is an instant porridge best for families as it is sweet and highly nutritious,” he adds.
They also exhibited pre-cooked bean flour, which can be used in porridge, as a soup thickener and in baking. The pre-cooked bean product caught the attention of many who visited the stall.
These beans are cooked and then dried in a way that retains their original colour and seed size.
“These products aim to promote bean consumption, as many people have been shying away from eating beans due to the long preparation time and high fuel consumption. These products save time, fuel, and, in a way, help preserve the environment by reducing fuel usage,” Kiwanuka says.
The products exhibited also included drudgery-reducing technologies such as beans clean, which can be used to weed beans without human labour, saving both time and cost.
Vegetable seed
Joel Ssenjala, the managing director of Holland Greentech, which distributes vegetable seeds from the Netherlands, advises farmers who intend to venture into vegetable farming to always seek out quality seeds.
“It’s true that quality seeds are expensive, but if you’re farming as a business, you need to invest in them. Unlike other crops, if you try to save by using seeds from previous harvests or from the market, you’ll likely spend more and even make losses due to poor yields,” he says.
Ssenjala recommends that farmers consult experts before buying seeds to receive guidance on the right variety for their specific conditions, considering factors such as market demand and climate.
The expert should also advise on best agronomic practices to minimise pesticide use, thus increasing profitability and promoting the health of farm workers and consumers. Vegetable varieties vary depending on the growing system. “
We have varieties suited for open fields, as well as for greenhouses. Since seeds are expensive, each one should be handled carefully to ensure it yields fruit,” he says.
Therefore, proper nursery bed preparation is key in seed management.
Holland Greentech offers nursery bed trays with germination mediums such as peat moss, to germinate seeds and grow them into seedlings before transplanting them into the main garden, ensuring maximum yield.
