In a breakthrough for banana farmers and consumers in Uganda, the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) released a new Matooke banana variety NARITA 17, which is a high-yielding, disease-resistant variety with desirable consumer sensory qualities.
The new variety, also known as NAROBAN6, was released by NARO on 21st March 2025, after a successful defense by the Banana Program of the National Agricultural Research Laboratory (NARL-Kawanda) to the seed variety release committee of the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).
In Uganda, approximately 75% of farmers cultivate ‘Matooke’ and other banana varieties, covering an estimated 38% of the total cultivated land. However, production has declined over the past three decades, primarily due to soil fertility depletion, drought, and attacks from pathogens such as banana bacterial wilt, black Sigatoka, and fusarium wilt. Additionally, pests like the banana weevil and burrowing nematodes have further contributed to the decline.
Developed through a collaborative effort between NARO and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), with a long history of breeding, multilocational testing (5 years) and on farm testing (2 years), NARITA 17 boasts an impressive 243% yield increase over the traditional landrace, Mbwazirume, with an average yield of 40.5 tons per hectare. This significant yield boost is expected to transform the lives of banana farmers in Uganda, providing them with a more productive and resilient crop.
This new variety is resistant to both Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (FOC-TR4), Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Race 1 (FOC-R1), Radopholus similis, Nematodes, tolerant to weevils, and it meets the requirements of the consumers
Dr. Rony Swennen, IITA’s Banana Breeding Program Leader
“NARITA 17 is among our best bet hybrids of matooke developed jointly by NARO and IITA.”
Dr. Joseph Kitafunda Twine, the chairperson of the National Variety Release committee (NVRC), noted that while improved crop varieties are developed through rigorous research processes, some farmers are hesitant to adopt them. He emphasized the need for more awareness about new crop varieties, so farmers can grow them effectively.
At the release event, Mr. Paul Kiyemba highlighted the importance of robust engagement with Agricultural Extension Officers, who interface with farmers regularly. He emphasized the need for frequent engagements between researchers, extension staff, and farmers to ensure successful dissemination of new crop varieties.
NAROBAN6 (NARITA 17) has several desirable attributes, including:
- Bunch weight (yield): 26 kilograms (NPT) and 32.5 kilograms (on-farm), which is 34% higher than NAROBAN5
- Short life span: 10 months from planting to maturity
- Disease resistance: Resistant to nematodes and tolerant to weevils and black sigatoka
- Palatability: Blends well with local varieties, with high scores for color, aroma, taste, smoothness, and texture
The release of NARITA 17, also known as NAROBAN6, marks a significant milestone in our efforts to improve the livelihoods of banana farmers in Uganda. With its exceptionally high yields, 34% better than the best previously released hybrid, NARITA 17 is poised to make a real difference in farmers’ fields.
Dr. Alex Barekye
I’m also proud to highlight the strong collaboration between IITA and NARO, which has been instrumental in bringing this variety to life. Our partnership has been characterized by clear roles, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of Ugandan farmers.
NARO Breeding Program Leader
This breakthrough is the culmination of over 20 years of collaborative banana breeding research between NARO and IITA that saw the development of 27 early Matooke hybrids named NARITA.
Two of these were formally released by NARO in 2010 in Uganda and are now being grown in at least 15% of the banana farms in Uganda. In 2015, the Ugandan’s Cabinet Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Tress Bucyanay andi (MP) launched a project to boost banana production in East and Central Africa, which aimed to develop new disease and pest resistant hybrid varieties of Matooke and Mchare, two popular cooking banana types grown by farmers in East Africa.
See launch details here Since then, significant progress has been made.
In 2017, a team of international banana experts developed 48 hybrids of Matooke that were forwarded for field assessment in Uganda. These hybrids showed impressive yields, with some having bunch weights that are up to two and a half times heavier than those of their best performing parents.
See progress details in articles and releases
NARO and IITA have also development 25 banana hybrids for food and juice dubbed NARITA hybrids– which were tested in Tanzania by the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) and its partners IITA, NARO, and Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, to identify those most suited to Tanzanian fields and Tanzanian farmers.
The four NARITA hybrids, now called TARIBAN 1–4, were officially released in March 2021 (see details of release here.)
The new varieties are resistant to black Sigatoka leaf disease and banana weevils, with potential yields ranging from 18 to 35 t/ha/year. Currently, farmers’ average productivity is around 7 t/ha/year.
The new NARITA 17 is a shining example of what can be achieved through international collaboration and a commitment to improving the lives of small-holder farmers.
The future is promising as the East Africa Banana Network works together to accelerate the delivery of improved banana varieties in the region.
The collaboration marks a significant step towards enhancing banana breeding efforts in East Africa, focusing on meeting the specific needs of the region’s farmers and increasing food security and income through farming of improved cooking banana.
About NARITA 17:
• Average yield: 40.5 tons per hectare
• Yield increase: 243.2% over the traditional landrace, Mbwazirume
• Disease resistance: Resistant to FOC-TR4, FOC-R1, Black Sigatoka, and moderate resistance to weevils and nematodes
• Consumer sensory qualities: Impressive hedonic scores (out of 5) for color (3.4), aroma (4.0), taste/flavor (3.4), mouth
Dear NARO ,
IT’S Very insightful. I really appreciate the quality of research results which are heartfeltly released by NARO. You are a great leader in this field.
How can these improved seeds, including NARITA 17, get in hands of our recent Startups?
Blessings,
James NGIRA,
Christian Innovation Institute for Africa,
Kampala, Uganda,
Tel. +256754044445.