NgettaZARDI
Who We Are
Historical Background
Ngetta ZARDI started as cotton Research Centre under Serere around 1930s. From 1964-1998 it was upgraded into a District Farm Institute (Lango DFI Ngetta) for training farmers in Lango District in improved agriculture practices. In 1999, it was transferred to NARO and upgraded to Agricultural Research and Development Center (Ngetta ARDC). It was later in 2005, upgraded into a Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Ngetta ZARDI) by Act of Parliament (NAR Act 2005). The institute operates in 17 districts, 9 in Lango sub region (Amolatar, Alebtong, Apac, Dokolo, Kole, Lira, Oyam, Kwania and Otuke), and 8 in Acholi sub region (Agago, Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum, Lamwo, Omoro, Nwoya and Pader). It has a satellite station at Kitgum.
Profile
Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Ngetta ZARDI) is one of the 16 NARO institutes established by NAR Act 2005 with the mandate to carry out applied and adaptive research in all aspects of crops, livestock, fisheries and agroforestry. The institute consists of two stations, the main one located Ngetta in Lira which 5 km on Lira-Kitgum road, and a satellite station located on the outskirts of Kitgum Municipality. It also has land in Aduku Town Council, Kwania District, which used to serve as Varietal Testing Centre.
Ngetta ZARDI developing and promoting up-to-date Agricultural technologies for improved food security and income in Northern Uganda.
Location
The main station is located 5kms on the Lira – Kitgum Highway with a land area of about 221 hectares (550 acres) and a satellite station on the outskirts of Kitgum Town covering 70.8 hectares (175 acres). The Institute is mandated to manage and carry out applied and adaptive research relevant to the needs of farmers in the mid-Northern and Northern agro-ecological zone comprising of 17 districts.
Our Mission
Our Vision
Our Mandate
NgettaZARDI News
Director of Research: MbaZARDI
Director of Research: NARL Kawanda
Stakeholders Unite to Strengthen Uganda’s Rice Sector
International Partnership Unites to Combat Cassava Whitefly and Protect African Crops
BRAINS Project Inception Meeting Champions Climate-Resilient Agriculture
NaCRRI Welcomes New Advisory Committee and Chairperson
Strengthening Agricultural Research: Parliamentary Agricultural Committee Engages with NARO
NARO and JICA Empower Overseas Volunteers with Advanced Rice Cultivation Training
Ethiopian Delegation Explores Uganda’s Seed System
Eco-PRiDe Project Kicks Off – Inaugural Joint Coordination Meeting
Farmers Embrace Innovation at the 4th Eastern Agricultural Show in Soroti
Advancements in Uganda’s Seed Value Chain
Call for Expression of Interest (EOI)
NARO release a Matooke banana variety: NARITA 17 in Uganda
Advert for ICT Hardware and Assorted Services
MUZARDI hosts PARI Director’s Forum (PDM)
NARO-Uganda and University of Burundi Collaboration
Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP) Scholarships
Abim farmers receive walking tractors from Nabuin
New study proves NARO’s Anti-tick vaccine is highly safe and effective
NaCRRI Hosts National Defence College staff for an Insightful Tour on Agricultural Innovation
Uganda and Lesotho Forge Stronger Ties Through Agricultural Collaboration
Mutation Breeding in Crop Improvement
NaCRRI and Eco-PRiDe Complete Transformative Rice Training Program for Refugee Trainers
Over 800 Farmers Empowered at NARO-COFIA Training
NaCRRI Empowers Youth and Women in Agriculture with Hands-On Training
Governance
The institute is a zonal office for national Agricultural research organization (NARO) and therefore is under the supervision of NARO governing council and NARO management headed by the Director General. At the institute level, the institute has Advisory committee that works hand in hand with Director of Research to advise and coordinate institute management. The heads of unit form the management committee which coordinates the activities of the institute. The technical wing of the institute is composed of three programs headed by Programme leaders who are part of management committee. The institute also has section specific committees such as science and budgets committee, disciplinary committee, land committee NTR committee etc to handle specific issues at the institute.
Programs/Activities
Aquaculture Farming
Dairy Farming
One major constraint to diary and generally cattle keepers in northern Uganda is dry season feeding. Northern Uganda is prone to prolonged droughts and therefore most of the animal pasture dry during drought. Ngetta ZARDI has developed several dry season feeding and pasture conservation technologies.
Up-to-date agricultural technologies in Crop Resources Research and development Program
This program coordinates development and dissemination of crop technologies aimed at increased productivity, resilience to pest and diseases and climate variability, value addition and post-harvest processing. These technologies include high yielding pest and disease tolerant varieties, post-harvest processing prototypes, value addition technologies, climate smart and improved agronomic practices. The program also coordinates natural resources conservation and management.
Outreach and Technology Promotion Program
This program acts as gateway for technologies developed by Crop and livestock programs. The program coordinates dissemination and promotion of improved technologies and practices as well as information. It not debatable that limited information or misinformation among farmers is one of the reasons for low adoption of improved agricultural technologies especially improved crop varieties and value addition.
This program coordinates on-farm demonstration of agricultural technologies, capacity building of extension workers, farmers and other stakeholders, dissemination of market information and information on production and postharvest practices. One of the strategies to promote agriculture among the youth is training of students so as to look at agriculture as a profit making venture.
Products & Services
Pasture Planting Materials
Research Focus
Partnerships & Collaborations
Ngetta ZARDI works in partnership with other players in technology development and dissemination to enhance accelerated adoption of appropriate technologies in the zone. This helps in creation of from synergies with other key partners both in technology development and dissemination to galvanize individual resources and objectives.
Volunteer & Internships
Application Procedure for Volunteers and Internships
Volunteers: Interested persons are advised to write and deliver applications to NgettaZARDI on weekdays.
Internships: NgettaZARDI runs one internship program annually. Students are advised to deliver applications and university recommendations to the Institute on weekdays.
Contacts
Contact Information
- Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute - NgettaZARDI
- +256 414 690335 +256 437 427748
- ngettazardi@yahoo.com
- 5Km on Lira-Kitgum Road
- P.O. Box 52, Lira City