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Dr. Ambrose J. Agona

Welcome Message from the Director General

Dr. Ambrose J. Agona
I am pleased to welcome you to the NARO Uganda’s website. A one stop center for information and updates regarding agricultural research and development in Uganda. As an agency, our mandate is to coordinate, oversee and guide agricultural research in the country and this is where we intend to keep you updated on technologies, innovations and management practices developed by our scientists.

Throughout the years, we have aspired to be better, more advanced, relevant and to position ourselves at the top of the agricultural research industry in the region and Africa. We have developed new technologies, innovations, and management practices as well as invested in collaborations and partners who contributed and strengthen our interests as a research institution focused on improving lives and livelihoods.

As our societies and economies become more connected regardless of geographical boundaries and time differences, as NARO we will use our digital platforms to reach out, engage and connect with our different stakeholders across the world. Be sure to take a look through our pages to a better understanding of what we do.

NARO Research Breakthroughs

The National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) is a government body for guidance and coordination of all agricultural research activities in the national agricultural research system in Uganda. NARO is a Public Institution established by an act of Parliament, which was enacted on 21st November 2005.

NARO is overseen by the council as its governing body, committees of the council as its specialized organs and a secretariat for its day-to-day operations with the semi-autonomous public agricultural research institutes under its policy guidance.

Control Of Banana Bacteria Wilt
Banana Plantation

NARO spearheads protection of the banana plantations grown across the Southwestern, Central and Western and Eastern regions of Uganda. Under, the National Banana Bacterial wilt Control Initiative (NARO, 

NAADS, MAAIF, CG Centres, University, Local Governments), the implementing body of the National Banana Bacterial wilt Control strategy, and the HE the President banana bacterial wilt, projected to decimate 90% on Uganda’s bananas was effectively controlled. These efforts were largely successful; BBW incidence (% affected fields) reduced from 45% to 4% and banana sales recovery from previously affected fields was 72%, an equivalent value of banana estimated at US$102million (20% of Uganda’s annual banana production). This is estimated to have positively impacted 5 million banana dependent Ugandans whose livelihoods had been devastated by banana bacterial wilt. It also helped to protect the rest of the banana plantations because of drastically reduced bacteria load in the cropping system.

Control Of Cassava Brown steak Disease

There has been a rapid response by development and deployment of integrated management options for pest and disease out breaks that would otherwise have caused billions in crop losses. 

 Examples of these pests and disease include the maize lethal necrosis (MLN), cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) and fall armyworm (FAW). Research interventions reduced incidence of CBSD to 20.4% in 2017 from 27.3% in 2011 and Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) occurrence controlled below 20%. NARO supports pest and disease surveillance, farmer and extension training, and validation and the recommendation of appropriate chemicals to manage these pests and diseases.

NARO Research Journey/ Milestones

Evolution of agricultural research in Uganda
1898

Establishment of Botanic Gardens for evaluation of crops that could be grown for export and food security in the Ugandan Protectorate.

1900

Establishment of the Forestry and Scientific Department.

1907 - 1910

Transformation of the Forestry and Scientific Department into the Botanical, Forestry and Scientific Department, and then into the Department of Agriculture with the mandate of improving the quality of primary commodities for export.

1919- 1930

Establishment of Experimental Stations at Kadungulu, Sims: and Serere in Teso; Bukalasa, Kikumiro, Kituza and Masaka in Centre: region; Fort Portal, and Namenage in the western parts of the country.

1937 - 1990

The research division relocated to Kawanda and expansion of research under different Ministries notably, crops, fisheries and forestry initiated. Nakawa forestry research center was established in 1938. East African Fisheries Research Organization (EAFRO) was established in 1947. East African Trypanosomiasis Research Organisation (EATRO) , now the home of NALIRRI, was founded in 1956.

1992
Establishment of National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) by NARO Statute 1992 as a semi-autonomous institution and body corporate; thus consolidating research in crops, livestock, fisheries and forestry under one institution.
2000

Establishment of Agricultural Research and Development Centres (ARDCs) to enhance access to research services to farmers in remote rural areas.

2005

Reconstitution of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) under the umbrella of a new NARO. This brought in all institutions undertaking agricultural research using public resources under the coordination, oversight and quality assurance of the Nation.

Ongoing Research Projects

NARO’s research agenda is guided by 10-year strategic plans that spell out research priorities over the period. The last strategic plan cycle, which stretched from 2008/09 to 2017/18, focused on the improvement of agricultural production and productivity.

The current strategic plan themed: “Market-Oriented Research Spurring Agro-Industrialization”, started in 2018/19 and will end in 2027/28.

More....
Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU)
This project seeks to chase poverty and hunger in northern Uganda by diversifying food systems for...
Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Project
In August 2019, the CSA Concept was developed, presented, and approved by ASWG for submission to...
Feed the Future Initiative
The FtF NARO activity is a research and development initiative between the (NARO) and USAID ....
Developing a Market–Oriented and Environmentally Sustainable Beef Meat Industry in Uganda Project (MOBIP)
This project seeks to improve the competitiveness and productivity of the beef sub-sector
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NARO

NARO is an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) with the mandate to coordinate and oversee all aspects of public funded agricultural research in Uganda.

Address

Plot 3, Lugard Avenue, Entebbe
8:00 - 17:00 (Mon - Fri)

Contact Us

connect@naro.go.ug
dg@naro.go.ug
+256-414-320178

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Disclaimer | Data Use Policy

© 2022 National Agricultural Research Organisation | All Rights Reserved

NARO

NARO is an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) with the mandate to coordinate and oversee all aspects of public funded agricultural research in Uganda.

Address

Plot 3, Lugard Avenue, Entebbe
8:00 - 17:00 (Mon - Fri)

Contact Us

connect@naro.go.ug
dg@naro.go.ug
+256-414-320178

Disclaimer | Data Use Policy

© 2022 National Agricultural Research Organisation | All Rights Reserved