AbiZARDI
Our Location
The Arua Rhino camp road divides the farm into two parts i.e., Northern and Southern parts. It occupies 208 Acres (83.2 hectares) of land and a satellite station in Nebbi District of about 22 Acres, hence the overall ownership of the Institute is 230 Acres. Abi ZARDI lies at border Junction between Southern Sudan, DRC and Uganda.
Administratively, it is situated Arua City, Ayivu East Division, shared Ombokoro, Ewadri and Odravu Wards respectively. Under lower local government, it is neighbored by the following Cells; Yabia Voko in the west, Oboopi West in the North, Egara in north-east, Adroi in southeastern and Oluodri East Cell in the southwestern.
History of AbiZARDI
By the year 1922, two war veterans (Bazil Busby [Abuni] and George Stubbs (Atachwa) from Germany came looking for farmland and got Oboopi clan under the leadership of their eldest son called Mr. Ombanya. He sold the land to the Germans at peanut price.
The war veterans from Germany opened the land and begun farming of tobacco and other crops and built a factory. Overtime, they started giving in-kind assistance to the neighbors and they were nick named A’BI meaning grandfathers.
However, during the 2nd world, the two Germany war veterans were chased away by British and were forced to relocate their factory to Iganga district in Busoga region.
The British decided to rename Abi as Variety Trial Center (VTC) for testing different crop varieties targeting the European Market.
Until the year 1962 when Uganda attained her Independence, the British handed over the Variety Trial Center to the government of the Republic of Uganda. Then the farm became the District Farm Institute (DFI). The institute continued to provide agricultural extension services through tailor-made trainings; good agronomy practices, Post-harvest management, seed multiplication, supplies agricultural inputs, farm mechanization etc.
When NARO in the year 2000/2001 beg an outreach station for improved technologies the DFI was upgraded to serve as Agricultural Research and Development Centre (ARDC). Until the year 2005/06 through the National Agricultural Research (NAR, Act, 2005), the institute acquired the ZARDI status for West Nile Agro-ecological Zone (WNAEZ).
The West Nile Agro Ecological Zone covers a total of 13 districts namely; Arua City, Arua, Terego, Madi-Okollo, Maracha, Koboko, Terego, Yumbe, Moyo, Adjumani, Obongi, Pakwach Nebbi and Zombo.
Our Mission
Our Vision
Our Mandate
AbiZARDI News
New study proves NARO’s Anti-tick vaccine is highly safe and effective
President Museveni Commends Agricultural Scientists at African Union Summit
Shortlisted candidates for written interviews
Letter from the Director General
Call for Proposals: Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project
NARO Partners with China to Advance Perennial Rice in Africa
Shortlist Candidates for selected positions
NARO tailored Agricultural Models to address the unique challenges
Vacancy – Directors of Research
NARO-NaCRRI Preaches value addition in the 3rd Eastern Agricultural Show
Ugandan Innovation Shines on Times Square in New York
Tooro Kingdom, NARO partner to fight food insecurity
Banana Products Survey
NARO Moves to Start Vegetable Seeds Production
Agricultural Research as a Trigger for Economic Transformation
President Museveni Optimistic of Egypt-NARO Partnership on FMD Vaccine Production
NARO’s contributions towards development and uptake of Nutrient rich foods in Uganda
3m FMD Vaccine Doses Arrive in Uganda
NARO-RWENZURURU Kingdom Partnership
Labour Day Celebrations
NARO-KOPIA 15th Anniversary – Seoul, South Korea
NARO Job Opportunities Director of Research
Anti-tick Vaccine Breakthrough
NARO Fisheries Institute Recognized as an African Centre of Excellence
Nature-based Tea production solutions
Katikkiro Enthralled at NARO results
South Sudan-NARO learning visit
NARO Refugee project
Deputy Speaker’s visit to NARO
ZUKUKA-KISOBOKA campaign drive
Governance Team
Programs/Activities
Crop and Natural Resources Research program
To develop seed varieties that are competitive in the market and are resilient to climate change.
Animal Resources Research program
To develop post-harvest processes and innovations for the production of quality products.
Technology Promotion and outreach program
To address the challenge of seed gap so as to improve yield productivity and production levels in the West Nile region
Products & Services
Diversifying the end products and create alternative uses, hence attracting a better price for the farmer, determined by demand and supply. AbiZARDI is conducting research into making various byproducts in response to emerging market demands. These products have the potential for import substitution and use in the cottage industry.
Research Focus
Achievements & Milestones
Partnerships & Collaborations
We have multiple Partnerships
Volunteer & Internships
Application Procedure for Volunteers and Internships
Volunteers: Interested persons are advised to write and deliver applications to AbiZARDI on weekdays.
Internships: AbiZARDI runs one internship program annually. Students are advised to deliver applications and university recommendations to the Institute on weekdays.
Contacts
Contact Information
- Abi Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute - AbiZARDI
- 8kms away from City Centre along Arua-Rhino Camp Road, Arua City