Technology Transfer for Semi-Arid Production in Eastern and Northern Uganda.

Grain sorghum yields are constrained by numerous constraints in eastern and northern Uganda. The most important are soil water deficits, the stem borer complex, shoot fly, striga, and nitrogen deficiency. The National Agricultural Research Organization began collaboration in 2010 to strengthen efforts of technology transfer (TT) partners. By 2012, activities were extended to 35 sub-counties across eight districts where sorghum is an important crop. Release and seed supply was facilitated for sorghum varieties including two with striga resistance. The start-up of fertilizer supply by community level agro-dealers was subsidized and supported with training. Field demonstrations (including 215 in 2012) and field days (mean attendance of ~2000/yr) were conducted each year. Information was also provided by leaflets, radio, and training of agro-dealers and advisors.  The project was highly cost-effective as it built on on-going TT efforts and it employed local farmers part-time as TT facilitators allowing efficient and timely implementation of activities while building the advisory expertise of these facilitators. An impact assessment is underway.