The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) has marked significant achievements through the Feed the Future Uganda Agriculture Research Activity, a USAID-funded initiative aimed at promoting improved crop varieties and livestock technologies’ use and commercialization.
Under this project, eight new improved crop varieties were released since 2020, including beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, maize, and pasture varieties. Additionally, 18 candidate crop varieties were submitted for approval by the National Variety Release Committee. NARO scientists also developed coffee value-added products, partnering with companies like Movit Products Limited and Ebenezer for technology dissemination and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) promotion.
Innovations in banana value-added products were announced, including prototypes from banana fiber, natural colorants, pre-cooked beans, composite flour, specialty coffee powders, coffee-infused yogurt, among others. Five drudgery-reducing technologies were developed, including tools for banana fiber extraction, and bean and animal-drawn planters.
NARO formalized collaborations with 14 private sector entities and facilitated partnerships for technology dissemination, leading to engagements generating over UGX 730,000,000 in commitment fees and royalties.
Facility constructions and refurbishments, including aeroponic units, seed multiplication facilities, and laboratory installations, were undertaken to develop market-responsive technologies. Staff training in various academic fields was also a key focus.
Dr. Yona Baguma, the NARO Director General, praised the team’s success in releasing these varieties and outlined plans for mainstreaming technology commercialization. He proposed an annual technology and innovation expo to showcase agricultural research developments and emphasized strengthening NARO Holdings Limited to enhance technology access and utilization.
Dr. Baguma expressed optimism for the project’s second phase, emphasizing a focus on addressing identified gaps for further advancements.
