By Bosco Bua Email: bbua@kyu.ac.ug

1. The Future of Wheat Production in Uganda: Challenges and Prospects
B. Bua
Department of Agriculture, Kyambogo University, PO.Box 1, Kyambogo- Kampala, Uganda. Email: bbua@kyu.ac.ug
Introduction
Wheat (Triticum spp) is an important cereal crop in many countries, both in temperate and tropical areas, where it serves a variety of needs including food, industrial products, and animal feed.
In Uganda, wheat is grown mainly on the slopes of the mountain ranges of Ruwenzori and Elgon as well as others areas above 1500 meres above sea level. Whilst national demand is estimated at
150000t, production has stagnated at roughly 20000t. Production statistics show that during 2004-2008, the area under cultivation increased from 9000ha to 11000ha whilst production increased
from 15000t to 19000t.
Challenges Prospects
Low yields of wheat are attributed • Renewed interest by farming communities to
to a diversity of production constraints including: intensify wheat cultivation in line with
• poor production technologies, governmental efforts to support strategic sectors
• low inherent yielding varieties, and
for increased income and food security.
• high labor input requirements.
• variability and change in climate • Conducive climatic conditions
• degradation of mountain ecosystems • Demand is higher than supply
• competing uses of highland ecosystems, • Guaranteed prices.
• emerging pests and diseases, • Introduction of high productive technologies e.g
• competition from weeds, combine harvesters
• greenhouse gas emissions, • Enabling/supporting policies.
• availability of water, and • Integration of skilled wheat labourers from the
• changing social habits.
Area (000 ha) region with the lowly skilled Ugandan labourers
25 • Attractive and stable local and regional markets
Increased urbanization leading to high
Production (T)
y = 0.9286x + 14.286 consumption of wheat products such as bread and
20 other confectioneries that utilize wheat flour as an
ingredient. However, concerted efforts is required
to harness these potential.
15
Acknowledgements
y = 0.5714x + 8.2857
Funds to attend this conference was
provided by CIMMYT . Additional 10
support from Kyambogo university is
Way forward
gratefully acknowledge
5 • Provide market and price incentives
• Exploit marginal lands for wheat production
• Develop and disseminate high yielding and
0 well adapted varieties
References 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Statistical Abstracts. 2010. Agricultural Planning
Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Figure 1: Wheat production trend in Uganda
Industry & Fisheries, Entebbe, Uganda