ZARDIs were established under the 2005 National Agricultural Research System Act of 2005 and are all semi-autonomous. Over the years, the institute has transitioned from a District Farm Institute (DFI) to an Agricultural Research and Development Centre (ARDC) and finally to its current state.
MUZARDI is located in Ntawo village within Mukono district, 20km East of Kampala and 2km off the Jinja-Kampala highway. It has two stations, one in Mukono that sits on 41 hectares and a satellite station in Kamenyamiggo, Lwengo district that sits on 320 hectares. Mukono ZARDI is mandated to carry out adaptive agricultural research and technology dissemination in the Lake Victoria Crescent Agro-ecological Zone.
Mukono ZARDI is led by a Director of Research who is overseen by the Advisory Committee that comprises of five members selected from both the public and government sector.
The workforce is categorized under three programmes; Crop and Natural Resources, Technology Promotion and Outreach and Livestock Research programmes. These are headed by programme heads.
Mukono ZARDI operates in 22 districts of the Lake Victoria Crescent Agro-ecological Zone, covering the entire central region of Uganda that include: Kampala, Wakiso, Mubende, Kalangala, Mukono, Kiboga, Nakansongola, Luwero, Nakaseke, Gomba, Mpigi, Kalungu, Masaka, Lwengo, Kayunga, Buvuma, Buikwe, Kyankwanzi, Mityana, Butambala and Bukomasimbi.
For the institute to create a lasting impact in the Lake Victoria Crescent Zone, it carries out several outreach activities that enhance technology transfer among clients. These are through exhibitions, agricultural shows organized within and beyond the Zone, farmer exchange visits, farmer and school competitions, open days and field visits. These are carried out in partnership with farmers, district extension staff, Non-Governmental Organizations and local governments in the 22 districts of the Zone.
For more information contact:
The Director of Research Mukono ZARDI
P.O Box 164, Mukono.
Telephone: +256 0414 290232
Email: director@muzardi.go.ug
Webpage: www.naro.go.ug/muzardi
Twitter: @Mukonozardi
Facebook: @muzardi