1) The document describes a project to improve integrated rice production and pest management in Uganda to help farmers adapt to climate change. 2) The project is led by Bosco Bua and includes researchers from Makerere University, Namulonge, and Lira who are screening rice varieties for resistance to pests and diseases, assessing different water management practices, and studying the effects of rice residues on greenhouse gas emissions and pest dynamics. 3) Data from the first season of studies in 2011 is being analyzed, and the studies will be repeated in 2012 to identify rice varieties that are high yielding, resistant to diseases, and resilient to moisture stress to help Uganda achieve food security under changing climate conditions.

1. IMPROVING INTEGRATED PRODUCTION AND PEST MANAGEMENT OF RICE
FOR CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATIONS IN UGANDA
Bosco Bua, (PhD), Principal Invesigator
Project team
1. Jeninah Karungi, (PhD), Department of Agricultural Production, Makerere university.
2. Jimmy Lamo, (PhD), National Crop Resources Research Institute, Namulonge.
3. Graceline Akongo (MSc), Ngetta Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Lira.
4. Thomas Awio, MSc. Student
5. Akasairi Ocwa, Undergraduate student
Abstract
Rice plays a central role in the economy of Uganda both as a food staple and source of cash
income for the majority of the population. Traditionally, lowland ecosystems have been the
home of rice production offering a stable water and nutrient supply. However, lack of water,
greenhouse gases emissions, pests and diseases limit rice production in many parts of the world
including Uganda. Therefore, with the variability and change in climate, rice production is
expected to further decline due to a host of other production constraints. In fact, rice is both a
victim and a contributor of climate change. Thus, any significant negative effect on rice
production caused by climate change would be devastating for efforts to achieve national food
security and address poverty. Therefore, there is need to produce rice varieties with improved
resistance to insects and diseases as well as water and nutrient use efficiencies among other
attributes. Indeed, new environmental conditions and shifts in production practices that farmers
may adopt to cope with climate change effects leading to improved integrated production and
pest management of rice for climate change adaptations is urgently required. In fact, selection of
high yielding rice varieties that are; resistant to rice diseases, resilient to moisture stress,
acceptable to the consumers, improved rice production systems for sustainable use that can cope
with changing climate conditions is the answer. Studies are therefore being undertaken to 1)
screen advanced breeding lines and local landraces for resistance to pests and diseases, 2) assess
the effects of water management practices on greenhouse gases emissions, and 3) assess the
effects of disposable rice residues on the greenhouse gases emissions and pests and diseases
dynamics in Uganda both in the screenhouse and field. In addition, laboratory analysis is being
undertaken to assess the soil carbon and nitrogen status of the fresh paddy soils and the used
paddy soils as well as plant samples. Data collected on pests, disease incidence and severity and
yield during first season of 2011 are being compiled for analysis. In general, the studies will be
repeated for two more times during first and second seasons 2012, respectively.