Climate Resilient Banana Production in Uganda (CRBP)
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.
The projet 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:
The use of biocontrol agents (BCAs) and biostimulants will reduce disease and improve drought resilience in banana plants.
Irrigation systems and soil conservation practices will significantly improve water-use efficiency and yield.
Climate-smart practices will be economically viable and socially accepted by banana farmers.
The project is a collaboration between National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), Makere University (MAK) and the Department of Plant and Evironmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen. Besides this, the project is implemented in collaboration with two subcontractors.
Partners:
- National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO)
- Makere University
Subcontractors:
- Uganda Banana Producers Cooperative Union (UBPCU)
- Davis & Shirtliff
Funded by
Climate Resilient Banana Production in Uganda has received a four year funding from Denmark's development cooperation (DANIDA).
Project start: 2025
Project end: 2029
Contact
Principal Investigator
Hans Jørgen Lyngs Jørgensen
hjo@plen.ku.dk
+45 35 33 37 75
Project Manager
Aleksandra Mleczek
aleksandraml@plen.ku.dk
+45 35 32 99 54
Internal researchers
| Navn | Titel | Telefon | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhim Bahadur Ghaley | Lektor | +4535333570 | |
| Birgit Jensen | Lektor | +4535333334 | |
| David B. Collinge | Professor | +4535333356 | |
| Dorette Sophie Müller-Stöver | Lektor | +4535331236 | |
| Hans Jørgen Lyngs Jørgensen | Lektor | +4535333775 |
External researchers
| Name | Title | Organisation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robooni Tumuhimbise | Doctor | National Agricultural Research Laboratories, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) | |
| Alice Turinawe | Doctor | Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics (DANRE), in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makere University | |
| Alfred Kumakech | Doctor | Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) | |
| Patrick Musinguzi | Doctor | Department of Agricultural Production, School of Agricultural Sciences, Makere University | |
| Prossie Nakawuka | Lecturer Eng. | Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering, Makere University | |
| Moureen Nansamba | Doctor | National Agricultural Research laboratories, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) | |
| Kenneth Akankwasa | Doctor | National Agrucultural Research Laboratories, National Agricultural Research Organisatoin (NARO) | |
| Arthur Tugume | Associate Professor | Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Makere University | |
| Daniel Semwezi | MR | Davis and Shirtliff, Kampala Main Head Office | |
| Sarah Tusingwire Loyce | MS | Uganda Banana Producers Cooperative Union |