- In Uganda’s rice seed systems, information access and trait preferences are deeply divided by gender and age among smallholder men, women, and youthÂ
- Adoption of innovation and new seeds is hindered by structural barriers, including insecure land tenure for youth and domestic responsibilities for womenÂ
- More decentralized and gender-responsive extension, participatory and inclusive breeding programs, and hybrid distribution models can help empower women farmers and youth entrepreneursÂ
By Glenn Concepcion
Uganda has set its sights on a bold agricultural future. Under the National Rice Development Strategy II, the nation aims to produce 870,000 metric tons of rice annually by 2030. However, a persistent “productivity paradox” stands in the way: while modern, high-yielding varieties are available, smallholder yields remain 40% below the East African regional average. A new study published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems suggests the bottleneck isn’t just agronomic—it is social.Â
The research, led by scientists from CGIAR centers the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, reveals that Uganda’s rice seed systems are socially stratified networks in which access to innovation is dictated by gender, age, and power. To reach its production goals, the study argues, Uganda must move beyond neutral technology delivery and actively foster an inclusive seed system that accounts for the distinct realities of women and youth.
The information divide
The researchers conducted a mixed-methods study involving 333 farmers in the Butaleja District, a major rice-growing hub. They discovered a “cascade of disadvantages” that begins at the very first stage of innovation: awareness.
While overall awareness of improved varieties did not differ significantly by gender, the pathways to that information varied widely. Male farmers were significantly more likely to engage with formal extension agents, agro-input dealers, and mass media like TV and radio. By contrast, 56.7% of women relied almost exclusively on informal networks, such as neighbors and family members.
“Because we are often home, information regarding production … is passed on to us by our neighbors,” one female participant explained in a focus group, noting that formal extension meetings are often held in distant trading centers at times that conflict with domestic responsibilities. This exclusion from formal channels means women are often the last to learn about the newest, most climate-resilient varieties. Awareness without accessible pathways to acquisition represents an incomplete solution.
Trait preferences disparity
Fostering inclusivity also requires rethinking what is being bred. The study found that men and women prioritize different traits in their rice. Men largely prioritize yield (85.1%) and drought tolerance (78.4%), aligning closely with conventional breeding priorities.
Women, however, place a much higher premium on seed morphology (shape, size, and color) and culinary qualities. These preferences reflect their roles as food processors and household managers. Culinary qualities directly influence market demand and household food acceptance, meaning varieties failing on these traits face rejection regardless of agronomic performance. Meanwhile, youth farmers showed a stronger preference for physical seed purity and weight, traits linked to marketability and an entrepreneurial outlook.
When breeding programs focus solely on agronomic yield, they inadvertently devalue the knowledge and needs of women and youth. The study suggests that a woman’s non-adoption of a new variety may simply be because it doesn’t meet her culinary or processing requirements.
Barriers for the youth
The findings regarding young farmers (aged 18–35) presented a unique paradox. Youth demonstrated higher awareness of newer varieties like WITA 9 compared to older adults. They are also digitally connected, often using WhatsApp groups for market intelligence.Â
However, this awareness does not translate into adoption. Youth adoption rates were significantly lower than those of adults. The barriers here are structural: limited access to land, prohibitive input costs, and a lack of institutional recognition. For many young farmers, even if they want to innovate, they lack the social legitimacy or secure land tenure required to take the risk.
Pathways to inclusivityÂ
To dismantle these barriers, the study identifies three critical pathways to foster a more inclusive seed system:
1. Decentralized, responsive extension: Training must move away from distant trading centers and into the heart of communities. Programs should be delivered through existing women’s and youth groups at times that accommodate their schedules. Leveraging digital platforms can also bridge the gap for tech-savvy youth.
2. Participatory breeding: Breeders must move beyond “yield-centric” models. By integrating sensory traits (taste, cooking time) and market-linked attributes (seed weight) into the development pipeline, new varieties will become more attractive to a broader range of farmers. Participatory breeding must include on-farm testing managed by women and youth, ensuring their preferences shape variety development before release.
3. Community-based seed hubs: The study advocates for a “hybrid” model that links formal suppliers with community-managed hubs led by women and youth. This strengthens “last-mile” access and fosters local entrepreneurship, particularly through models such as Quality Declared Seed (QDS), which lowers entry barriers for young agripreneurs.
“Achieving equity does not imply uniform treatment,” the authors conclude. Instead, it requires a system that recognizes that a young woman’s journey to adopting a new seed is fundamentally different from that of an older man. Only by addressing these root causes of exclusion can Uganda build a rice sector that is not only productive but resilient and equitable.
Read the study:
Jummai Othniel Yila, Allan Bomuhangi, Ranjitha Puskur, Eileen Bogweh Nchanji
Unpacking disparity: Gender and youth in Uganda’s rice seed system and pathways to inclusive innovation
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 10, 1700506.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2026.1700506
