Climate Resilient Banana Production in Uganda (CRBP)

Developing climate-smart agricultural solutions to enhance resilience and sustainability in Ugandan banana production.

About the project

Uganda is the leading banana producer in sub-Saharan Africa, where bananas are essential for food security and livelihoods, especially for smallholder farmers - 77% of whom are women.

Despite its importance, banana production is facing significant declines in yields due to climate change effects such as drought and heat stress, alongside pests, diseases, and soil degradation. 

Most banana farms depend on rainfed agriculture with minimal irrigation, which increases their vulnerability to drought and climate variability. Strengthening climate resilience and sustainable practices is therefore essential to secure livelihoods and enhance productivity.

Project information

Primary investigator (PI)

Project period

-

More about the research

The project target is to strengthen the resilience of Ugandan banana farming systems, empowering women farmers and contributing to national climate adaptation goals.

What are we hoping to achieve:

  • Improved banana yield, resilience, and economic stability for farmers.
  • Effective, scalable solutions for climate-smart banana production.
  • Enhanced capacity and partnerships for long-term sustainability.

Key research questions:

  • How can banana production systems be made more resilient to climate-induced stresses such as drought and diseases?

  • What is the role of microorganisms, irrigation technology, and socio-economic factors in enhancing banana productivity

Hypotheses:

  1. The use of biocontrol agents (BCAs) and biostimulants will reduce disease and improve drought resilience in banana plants.
  2. Irrigation systems and soil conservation practices will significantly improve water-use efficiency and yield.
  3. Climate-smart practices will be economically viable and socially accepted by banana farmers.

Collaborators

The project is a collaboration between National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), Makere University (MAK) and the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen. Besides this, the project is implemented in collaboration with two subcontractors.

External researchers

Name
Title
Organisation
  • Robooni Tumuhimbise
    Research Director
    National Agricultural Research Laboratories, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO)
  • Alice Turinawe
    Lecturer
    Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics (DANRE), in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makere University
  • Alfred Kumakech
    Senior Research Officer
    Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO)
  • Patrick Musinguz
    Lecturer
    Department of Agricultural Production, School of Agricultural Sciences, Makere University
  • Prossie Nakawuka
    Lecturer
    Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering, Makere University
  • Moureen Nansamba
    Research Assistant
    National Agricultural Research laboratories, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO)
  • Kenneth Akankwasa
    Lecturer
    National Agrucultural Research Laboratories, National Agricultural Research Organisatoin (NARO)
  • Arthur Tugume
    Lecturer
    Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Makere University
  • Daniel Semwezi
    Sales & Design Engineer
    Davis and Shirtliff, Kampala Main Head Office
  • Sarah Tusingwire Loyce
    Secretary General
    Uganda Banana Producers Cooperative Union
  • Doreen Kintu
    PhD student
    Makere University
  • Sylas Isout
    PhD student
    Makere University
  • Fred Kwazibigira
    PhD student
    Makere University
  • Fahadi Musaazi
    PhD student
    Makere University
  • Frank Kalungi
    PhD student
    Makere University
  • Igga Huzairu
    PhD student
    Makere University
  • Edwin Serunkuma
    MSc student
    Makere University
  • Joseph Katalikyawe
    MSc student
    Makere University

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