General

High yielding Soybean varieties transform agricultural sector in Uganda

Published

5 years ago

March 28, 2016

Mark Wamai

A farmer displays recently harvested soybean. Maksoy varieties' annual production stood at 181,000 tonnes in 2009

Makerere University through the Centre for Soybean Improvement and Development has developed six high yielding–rust resistant soybean varieties (Namsoy 4M, Maksoy 1N, 2N, 3N, 4N and 5N). Recent impact studies indicated that over 90% of the soybean varieties grown in Uganda are developed by Makerere University (Obaa and Tukamuhabwa, 2015).

Why the Maksoy Soybean varieties?
In 1996, Soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd.); one of the most devastating soybean diseases in the world was detected in Uganda, leading to yield losses of up to 100%. By 2000, farmers had lost interest in growing soybean since it was no longer profitable. To address this problem, researchers at Makerere University embarked on soybean research and breeding activities in major soybean growing areas in Uganda using a participatory approach that led to the development of six high yielding-rust resistant soybean varieties.

Impact of MakSoy Soybean varieties
With over 80% of the people living in Uganda engaged in Agriculture, the Maksoy high yielding rust resistant varieties have transformed the soybean sector in Uganda and improved livelihoods.

Soybean production in Uganda steadily increased from 144,000 hectares in 2004 to 200,000 hectares in 2014 (Tukamuhabwa and Oloka, 2016). Soybean prices increased from 600 UGX per kg in 2008 to 1000 UGX per kg in 2011 (SNV, 2011).

Similarly, soybean export earnings grew from USD 300,000 in 2006 to USD 1,163,000 in 2009; an increase of 288% (Ssengendo et al., 2010).

The varieties have also provided steady supply of soybean grain for the ever growing processing plants in Uganda. “The processing capacity increased from 300 tons in 2009 (Anon, 2010) to over 600 tons in 2011” (SNV, 2011).

Graph showing Foundation Seed production in Kg from 2005 to 2014 Furthermore, the quantity of soybean foundation seed increased from 2 tons in 2010 to 15 tons in 2014 per season and risen to over 40 tons in the year 2015.

Future Prospects of Maksoy Soybean varieties
Maksoy Soybean varieties are a success story. Given the demand presented by human and livestock needs, we highly encourage farmers, private sector, industry and funders to grow these high-yielding disease-resistant varieties.

This article is a Research Uptake Communication collaborating between Dr. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa and Mr. Tonny Obua together with the Mak Research Uptake Communication team, Ritah Namisango, Marjorie Kyomuhendo and Jane Anyango-Communication Officer, CAES.

Researcher

Maksoy Soybean Project PI

Dr. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa,
Associate Professor,
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES),
Makerere University
Email: p.tuka[at]caes.mak.ac.ug

It was informed by an existing publication:

For print only: Tukamuhabwa P and Oloka H.K “Soybean Research & Development in Uganda: A case of paradigm shift in an African University.” (2016) Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute, Kabanyolo (MUARIK), Makerere University, Kampala.

For online: Tukamuhabwa P and Oloka H.K “Soybean Research & Development in Uganda: A case of paradigm shift in an African University.” (2016) Research News. News Portal, Makerere University. http://news.mak.ac.ug/2016/01/mak-developed-disease-resistant-high-yielding-varieties-dominate-market 28th March 2016

General

Veteran Professor changed Makerere and Higher Education

Published

2 days ago

June 21, 2021

Mark Wamai

Professor Pancras John Mukasa Ssebuwufu (L) receives a plaque and citation from RUFORUM Board Member and Vice Chancellor Ndejje University-Professor Eriabu Lugujjo (Right) on 6th May 2021 at the RUFORUM Secretariat, Plot 155 Garden Hill, Makerere University Main Campus,

When Professor John Ssebuwufu ambled up to receive a certificate of recognition for his ‘exceptional’ contribution to higher education from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) at Makerere University (MU), he was thinking of many things, such as rewarding staff, that he could have done differently to impact university education more.

But he did what he could have done, under the circumstances.

He presided over MU (in 1993) when student enrolment was 5,000 and left in 2004 when the population was surging to more than 15,000.

He emphasised the use of information communication technologies in almost all the institutions he had been involved in and sent many academic staff on exchanges to boost research and innovation. Now, more African universities engage in ground-breaking research.

So, he proceeded to accept his recognition and make his acceptance speech, which was mostly about gratitude.

Ssebuwufu, 74, who is currently the chancellor at Kyambogo University and the vice-chancellor of the University of Kisubi, is credited for his exemplary leadership and pragmatic methods that have shaped higher education in Uganda and Africa as a whole.

General

Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program 2021/2022

Published

2 days ago

June 21, 2021

Mark Wamai

Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program 2021/2022. Photo credit: AfDB

The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program is a capacity building project by the AfDB and Japan which was initiated in 2017 with the aim of providing two-year scholarship awards to highly achieving African graduate students to enable them to undergo post-graduate studies (i.e. a two-year Master’s degree program) in selected priority development areas on the continent and Japan. The overarching goal the AfDB and the Government of Japan seek to attain is to enhance skills and human resources development in Africa in under the Bank’s High 5s agenda (i.e. “Feed Africa”, “Light up Africa”, “Industrialize Africa”, “Integrate Africa” and “Improve the quality of life of the people of Africa”) and key Japanese development assistance initiatives. JADS core areas of study focus include energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, and engineering. The program also seeks to promote inter-university collaboration and university-industry partnerships between Japan and Africa. Upon completion of their studies, the JADS scholars are expected to return to their home countries to apply and disseminate their newly acquired knowledge and skills in the public and private sectors, and contribute to national and continental socio-economic development.

About the JADS program

The JADS Program is open to applicants from AfDB member countries with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts who are applying to a graduate degree program in energy development and related discipline. The program does not provide scholarships to any other graduate degree program.

The scholarship program provides tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance.

Upon completion of their studies, the beneficiary scholars are expected to return to their home countries to apply and disseminate their newly acquired knowledge and skills, and contribute to the promotion of sustainable development of their countries.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

The program is open to those who have gained admission to an approved Masters degree course at a Japanese partner university. Candidates should be 35 years old or younger; in good health; with a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in the energy area or related area; and have a superior academic record. Upon completion of their study programs, scholars are expected to return to their home country to contribute to its economic and social development.

Application Procedures

Applicant requests for information and application forms and procedures from the chosen JADS partner university. For any inquiries, please contact JADS@AFDB.ORG
Applicant completes required documents and sends them to the university.
University evaluates and selects applicants.
University sends selected candidates to the AfDB.
AfDB reviews submissions from universities, prepares and approves the final list.
AfDB contacts selected awardees, and informs the universities.