Abstract:

NARO, in partnership with ICRA and Makerere University, is piloting the Integrated Agricultural Research for Development (IAR4D), Learning Initiative. One of the key tasks in the IAR4D Learning Initiative is the formulation of Research and Development proposal for each of the seven agro-ecological zones. Ngetta ARDC, in collaboration with farmer umbrella group, zeroed down on the increased production, processing and marketing of rice. However due to limited reference information to understand how way the rice market functions, operates and performs, the Ngetta R&D Core Team and the Upland Rice Initiative Team, with funding from the European Union (channeled through the NARO Outreach Programme) conducted a market chain survey. Findings indicate that 'Upland' variety of rice, although grown widely in the mid-north, was second in preference to the 'super' variety and therefore cheaper. The other main challenges faced by rice farmers were rudimentary drying techniques and limited, but expensive, access to extension services. The farmers were also at the mercy of unscrupulous buyers, who determined the market price.