The National Semi-Arid Research Resources Institute (NaSARRI) Groundnut Department is mandated to conduct research on groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L) in Uganda. It undertakes research aimed at cultivar development, maintenance and conservation through germplasm collection, characterization, evaluation, breeding, maintenance and generation of appropriate crop management technologies for sustained production.

Most of the varieties traditionally grown by farmers in Uganda are landraces adapted more for survival than yield superiority. Yields from such varieties average 800 kg/ha of dry pods although yields of 3,000kg/ha have been achieved from on-station plots. The low onfarm yields are attributed to a mirage of factors such as unreliable rains, non-irrigated cultures, traditional small-scale farming with little mechanization, outbreaks of pest infestations and diseases, the use of low-yielding seed varieties and increased and/or continued cultivation on marginal land. Political instability and the frequently unsupportive oilseed policies have also played their role in low groundnut productivity.

Therefore, there is excellent potential for yield improvement once these manmade problems are solved. Research efforts have, since the 1930s, endeavored to breed varieties that are high yielding, resistant to major pests and diseases, tolerant to drought, high in oil content and have a short to medium maturity period, as well as to develop appropriate production packages. These efforts have resulted in the release of 14 varieties, the most recent being Serenut 1R, Serenut 2T, Serenut 3R, Serenut 4T, Serenut 5R, Serenut 6T, Serenut 7T, Serenut 8R, Serenut 9T, Serenut 10R, Serenut 11T, Serenut 12R, Serenut 13T and Serenut 14R. These varieties have helped to address some of the production problems listed above.

However, the diverse market preferences and field stability of these new varieties, in light of ever emerging stresses calls for continuous participatory research while at the same time keeping crop improvement, quality and safety linked to practical applications. Emerging issues like soil health, aflatoxin, leafminer pest, value chain analyses, climatic changes and biotechnology need to be addressed and form part of the routine groundnut research agenda. Exploitation of novel breeding approaches like molecular breeding to complement conventional breeding would increase the efficiency of cultivar development. Additionally, to maintain or increase market share, producers and exporters need to adapt to the type of groundnut cultivars consumers prefer.

An innovative groundnut seed system approach with all the key stakeholders participating needs to be developed to match the demand and conserve the groundnut chain. The future of the groundnut sector in Uganda looks promising. The weaknesses in the current seed systems, the enforcement of quality standards, the technology delivery and the grain marketing systems needs urgent addressing. Mitigating these constraints will lead to use of improved technologies and the production of high quality groundnuts, which meet regional and international market standards.