The project achieved several key outputs in addressing the threat of Napier stunt disease (NSD) in Uganda: 1) Surveys found over 80% of fields in Masaka district affected by NSD, reducing fodder yields by over 60%. 2) Awareness efforts led to a reported 20-40% decline in NSD incidence in Masaka as farmers adopted recommended practices like manure application. 3) The project disseminated information through various channels to over 10,000 farmers and trained students and extension agents on NSD control.

1. Napier Stunt and Smut Resistance Project: Key Achievements and Outputs- Uganda Presented at the ASARECA/ILRI Workshop on Mitigating the Impact of Napier Grass Smut and Stunt Diseases, Addis Ababa, June 2-3, 2010 Dr. J. Kabirizi, Country Coordinator, National Livestock Resources Research Institute, Uganda

2. Project Research Team - Uganda *NaLIRRI: National Livestock Resources Research Institute **NaCRRI: National Crops Resources Research Institute Name Institute Responsibility Dr. Jolly Kabirizi *NaLIRRI Coordinate project activities Ms. Clementine Namazzi NaLIRRI Evaluate nutritive quality of Napier grass clones Dr. Titus Alicai **NaCRRI Plant Virologist/Advisor Mr. Erasmus Mukiibi (MSc student) NaCRRI Evaluate biomass yield of Napier grass clones

4. Figure 1: Spread and level of infection of NSD in Uganda (Kabirizi and Alicai, 2010) Low High Medium Water bodies Infection levels No disease G U L U K O T I D O L I R A M U K O N O K I T G U M A P A C M A S I N D I P A D E R A R U A M O R O T O H O I M A B U G I R I R A K A I K A L A N G A L A M P I G I M U B E N D E K A M U L I K U M I M A S A K A K A T A K W I M A Y U G E K I B O G A K I B A A L E N E B B I S O R O T I K A S E S E B U S H E N Y I N A K A P I R I P I R I T K Y E N J O J O W A K I S O Y U M B E I B A N D A N A K A S E K E I G A N G A M O Y O A D J U M A N I I S I N G I R O K I R U H U R A L U W E R O P A L L I S A N A K A S O N G O L A K A B A L E T O R O R O M B A L E K A M W E N G E S E M B A B U L E M B A R A R A N T U N G A M O K A Y U N G A K A B A R O L E B U N D I B U G Y O R U K U N G I R I J I N J A K A P C H O R W A K A N U N G U B U S I A S I R O N K O K A B E R A M A I D O K I S O R O K A M P A L A N 9 0 0 9 0 1 8 0 K i l o m e t e r s o w i u v e e r b Unsurveyed districts u r v e

7. Fig. 2: NSD incidence (%) and severity (1-3) in study areas 1= no stunting, 2 = moderate stunting and 3 = severe stunting

8. Mean herbage DM yield (t/ha/yr) Fig. 3: Effect of NSD on herbage yield Districts

11. Fig. 4: Effect of manure application on fodder yield and NSD incidence 2008 2009

12. NaLIRRI Media Private Sector Other researchers working on NSD Schools, DATICs NARS (Universities & Research Institutes) Farmers, CBOs, NGOs Extension Agents & Dairy Development Agencies Policy makers Donors` 3. Communication and Dissemination Key boundary partners identified

17. Stakeholders’ workshop Agricultural shows

18. Scientific exhibitions: UNCST- Science Week Exhibition (2009)

19. Workshops, field days & on-station trials

28. 2. The Perspective of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries- --Directorate of Animal Resource, Uganda “ Pasture and animal feed resources shall be improved through proper management and utilization of existing natural pastures and by introducing pasture and/or animal feeding interventions in existing natural pastures or crop-livestock farming systems while ensuring sustainable use of the feed resources”---- Mrs. (Rev.) S. Mwebaze, Assistant Commissioner, MAAIF)