BuZARDI was privileged to host the Sectoral Committee of Parliament on Agriculture on Saturday December 10th, 2022 during an oversight visit to assess the progress of implementation of the strategic intervention to boost food and animal feed security in the country.

Prior to the visit to the seed multiplication fields, the legislators led by the Committee Chairperson, Hon. Janet Akech Okori-Moe, were briefed by the Ag. Director of Research at the time, Dr. Guma Williams, on the progress made, challenges encountered and way forward. They were delighted to find out that maize, soybean and NAROBEANS were already at maturity stage in spite of late disbursement of funds. The parliamentarians further commended BuZARDI for executing the seed enhancement initiative while uncompromising on her core mandate of conducting research and promotion of technologies to uptake pathways in the Albertine Crescent Zone.

On concerns over post-harvest handling, Mr. Ahumuza Jasper, the Assistant Farm Manager, informed the committee that most of the seed multiplication sites (102 acres) are in Kigumba Satellite Farm in Kiryandongo district, where NARO Holdings Limited has a seed processing plant. The plant has the capacity to process five tonnes of seeds per hour. In addition, at BuZARDI we have two stores with a storage capacity of over 300 metric tons.

During the exit meeting, Hon. Janet Akech Okori-Moe, assured BuZARDI staff members that the committee will begin lobbying early for resources to revamp research infrastructures and equipment at the Institute such as solar irrigation system, tractors and agro-machineries.

The area member of parliament (Bugahya constituency), Hon. Pius Wakabi, who is also a member of the committee, said that he will revisit the Institute so as to learn more on what the Institute is doing to uplift the livelihoods of rural communities. Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) were also present during the visit.