Other options

Long Wenjing, a researcher from the Sichuan Provincial Academy of Agricultural Sciences, in Chengdu, who is also engaged in promoting perennial rice, said the lack of proper irrigation systems in Uganda poses a major challenge for the variety. He said they will try to provide more technical support to locals to overcome the challenge.

In addition to perennial rice, Long and his Chinese colleagues are also selecting other agricultural crop species that may be suitable for Uganda's conditions.

"We are focusing on the introduction and development of new species under the FAO-China-Uganda South-South Cooperation (Phase 3) program," he said.

"We have selected more than 100 plant species from China, and are testing them in Uganda, including at the China-Uganda Industrial Park for Agricultural Cooperation."

In addition to agricultural crops, Chinese experts are also working with their Ugandan counterparts to introduce, test and promote animal husbandry and introduce certain fish species.

In addition, they are teaching locals how to raise fish on rice farms, a practice widely adopted in many agricultural areas of China.

Efforts are already underway to introduce a big-eared goat species from Sichuan province to Uganda, Long said. The species features characteristics such as a faster growth rate, higher meat yield and stronger tolerance to certain diseases.

"We hope through our concerted efforts, the new species, including the perennial rice, can help contribute to improved food security in Uganda and other African countries," he said.

Hu, the Yunnan University researcher who developed perennial rice, said rice is a food staple in Africa, but productivity remains low.

"Perennial rice technology is what Africa needs right now, and I am willing to do everything within my power to facilitate the knowledge transfer."

Luo Jiayuan contributed to this story.