Preparing early for the upcoming soybean planting season and adopting improved climate-resilient varieties could significantly increase farmers’ yields and protect harvests against increasingly unpredictable weather, agricultural researchers have said. As Uganda prepares for the next planting season, scientists are encouraging farmers to complete land preparation early and plant immediately after the first effective rains to maximise soil moisture and minimise the risk of crop losses from prolonged dry spells.
The advice comes as changing weather patterns continue to affect agricultural production across the country, with researchers warning that delayed planting exposes crops to moisture stress during critical growth stages. One of the improved varieties being promoted this season is Maksoy 7N, a newly released soybean variety developed to combine high yields, early maturity, drought tolerance and resistance to soybean rust, one of the country’s most destructive fungal diseases.
According to researchers at the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute, Kabanyolo (MUARIK), the variety is already being multiplied by licensed seed companies to ensure certified seed reaches farmers across Uganda ahead of the planting season. Professor Phinehas Tukamuhabwa, one of Uganda’s leading soybean breeders and geneticists, said farmers should recognise that access to information is just as important as access to quality seed.
“Information is just as important as seed. Equipping farmers with the right knowledge before planting can make the difference between a successful harvest and a disappointing season,” he said. He explained that early planting has become one of the most effective and affordable climate adaptation measures available to smallholder farmers.Rather than waiting until the rainy season is fully established, farmers are encouraged to prepare their gardens in advance and plant immediately after receiving the first effective rains, allowing crops to utilise available soil moisture before dry conditions return later in the season. The recommendation follows months of unusually long dry weather that affected many parts of Uganda. While drought continues to threaten agricultural production, researchers have continued developing soybean varieties capable of performing under harsh environmental conditions.
At MUARIK, irrigation systems are used to sustain breeder seed production during dry periods. However, Professor Tukamuhabwa noted that for most farmers, timely planting remains the most practical strategy for reducing climate-related risks. Among the varieties available, Maksoy 7N is expected to be one of the most attractive options for farmers this season.
Professor Tukamuhabwa said the variety was specifically developed to address some of the biggest production challenges facing soybean farmers by combining higher yields, stronger disease resistance and faster maturity. Field evaluations indicate that Maksoy 7N can produce between three and 3.5 tonnes per hectare under good crop management, significantly outperforming many older soybean varieties.
The variety matures within approximately 90 to 96 days, making it suitable for Uganda’s increasingly shorter and unpredictable rainfall seasons by allowing farmers to harvest before late-season droughts occur. Researchers also say the variety has demonstrated strong natural resistance to soybean rust, reducing the need for fungicide applications and lowering production costs while promoting environmentally friendly farming practices.
Climate change continues to reshape agriculture across Uganda through prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall, prompting breeders to spend years selecting soybean lines capable of maintaining productivity under difficult conditions. Maksoy 7N is one of the products of this long-term breeding programme, with researchers selecting plants that survived severe drought while maintaining healthy growth and stable yields across different regions of the country.
Beyond its agronomic advantages, the variety also offers significant commercial value. With a protein content of about 40 percent and oil content of nearly 20 percent, Maksoy 7N is highly sought after by processors producing livestock feeds, edible oils and a range of soybean-based food products. The variety also fixes nitrogen efficiently in the soil, improving soil fertility and reducing dependence on costly chemical fertilisers, making it an important crop within sustainable farming systems.
Researchers believe the combination of higher yields, lower production costs and strong market demand positions Maksoy 7N among the best investment opportunities for soybean farmers this season. Uganda has established itself as a regional leader in soybean breeding, with nearly all improved soybean varieties currently grown in the country developed locally through research at Makerere University.
Professor Tukamuhabwa noted that Maksoy varieties are now widely cultivated beyond Uganda in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, demonstrating their adaptability across diverse environments. The institute continues working closely with farmers, seed companies, processors, government agencies and development partners to ensure improved technologies reach farming communities.
Researchers also involve farmers and processors throughout the breeding process to ensure new varieties respond to market needs rather than remaining purely research products. In addition to developing improved seed, MUARIK provides training for farmers, extension workers, students and other agricultural stakeholders on modern soybean production technologies.
The institute also promotes value addition through products such as soybean milk, soy yoghurt and nutritious snacks, while supporting Uganda’s livestock feed and edible oil industries. As demand for soybean continues to grow both locally and across the region, researchers believe early preparation, adoption of improved seed and better agronomic practices will enable farmers to increase production, improve household incomes and strengthen Uganda’s agricultural economy-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
