About NARL
National Agricultural Research Laboratories
The National Agricultural Research Laboratories (NARL) is one of the 16 public research institutes under the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), an apex body for agricultural research under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF). It is located 13km north of Kampala city, along the Kampala-Gulu highway.
Vision
To be a world class center of excellence in agricultural research.
Mission
To generate and promote agricultural technologies that improve productivity, value addition, and income and food security.
Core Values
- Excellence,
- Client and results-oriented
- Integrity
- Team work
- Environmental and social consciousness
Historical background
1934
Borup K, a Danish farmer, sold his 630-hectare rubber estate located in Kawanda to the government of Uganda. In 1937, the department of agriculture made this land the headquarters of its research division with a mandate to conduct research on coffee, tea, cotton and native food crops.
2005
Kawanda Agriculture Research Institute then became the hub of scientific research in order to make agriculture more productive and economically viable as a result of the establishment of the National Agricultural Research (NAR) Act of 2005.
Food bio sciences and agribusiness
Bio Systems and Agricultural Engineering
Soils, Environment and Agro meteorology
Banana
Biodiversity and biotechnology
Provision of agricultural research Information
There is an array of information from research that is available for use by the public or interested parties.
Soil testing analysis
Analysis of soil samples to determine nutrient content, composition, fertility, and other characteristics is done here
Tissue culture laboratory
Here, disease-free planting materials that are more uniform are made available in big quantities to farmers.
Farm
The farm also provides training and learning opportunities in crop management, soil management and diagnostics to visiting students, farmers and researchers.
Botanical gardens
Located in Entebbe next to NARO headquarters, is this big expanse of land measuring 40 ha with a 17km stretch touching Lake Victoria. This is a special place for conservation of biodiversity of plants and crops in Uganda. This was the first place to receive plants of potential value for agricultural and industrial use during the colonial period, making it a great historical site. All new plants were introduced, evaluated and planted here. Coffee, rubber, cotton, cloves and medicinal plants are some of the crops in the gardens, together with animals such as monkeys, reptiles, butterflies and spiders.
The botanical gardens present opportunities for tourism and relaxation for visitors. It is ideal for bird watching, nature walks, picnics and relaxation.
Gene bank
This is the national seed bank located at the national genetic plant resources centre in Entebbe. Here, all local varieties of crops and wild plants etc are preserved for future use and are available to the public. The botanical gardens and the gene bank are under the Genetic Plant Resources Centre. This center serves as the National focal point for the Commission on Genetic Resources and the International Treaty on Plant Genetics Resources for Food and Agriculture.
Insect museum
it provides information for identification.
Workshop for agricultural machinery
The technologies generated here are for small scale farmers to enhance productivity and reduce drudgery. Rice threshers, forage choppers, maize haulers, fish smoking kiln, and ploughs are some of the machinery fabricated at the workshop.
Food processing centre
one-stop shop for information on agribusiness and value addition.
Business Incubation Program
This centre was established to offer incubation services for product development for start-ups with interest in agro processing. It provides business opportunities by using semi-finished goods and finished goods aimed at providing high-quality food products to the market
Conference room facility
fully equipped for workshops and meetings.