Agriculture is one of the four cornerstone sectors in Uganda’s Vision 2040, enlisted to drive wealth creation and employment. According to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Uganda’s economy grew by an impressive 6.1% in FY 2023/24, powered in part by a 5.4% surge in the agricultural sector. This growth was fuelled by higher production of food and cash crops, favourable weather, and sustained government interventions to boost farm productivity. Behind this progress lies the engine of science, research, and innovation, which provides breakthroughs and technological advancements that help farmers overcome challenges, improve yields, and adapt to a changing climate.
Recognizing this, the Government of Uganda continues to invest heavily in agricultural research. In 1992, the NRM Government established the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) as the apex body for agricultural research. Since then, NARO has delivered remarkable results generating over 1,200 Technologies, Innovations, and Management Practices (TIMPs) that have placed Uganda at the forefront of agricultural innovation in East Africa and beyond.
From improved crop varieties to climate-smart solutions, NARO’s work continues to power the nation’s ambition of a modern, competitive, and resilient agricultural sector, one that feeds families, fuels industries, and drives Uganda toward its Vision 2040 goals. As the nation marks 63 years of independence, we take a look at Uganda’s agricultural journey as curated by the works of NARO.
Enhancing Productivity and Food Security
Research has played a critical role in improving productivity, especially among Uganda’s staple crops, including coffee, bananas, cassava, maize, beans, groundnuts, millet, sorghum, rice, sweet potato, cowpeas, sunflower, sesame/simura and tea. To improve productivity and food security, NARO has released a range of improved crop varieties that are resistant to pests and diseases and suited to Uganda’s climatic conditions. For example, in the coffee sector, the introduction of 10 coffee wilt disease-resistant varieties since 2007 led to a resurgence in production, from a low of 2 million bags in 2005/06 to 8 million bags by 2021. In 2023/24, Uganda’s coffee export earnings reached a record high of $1.14 billion, largely attributed to increased productivity and quality. Similarly, in maize production, NARO has released over 50 varieties, including 26 stress-tolerant hybrids between 2010 and 2020, contributing to a steady increase in annual maize production to over 4 million metric tons.
In response to challenges such as Banana Bacterial Wilt (BBW), black Sigatoka, and fusarium wilt, NARO has over the years released 13 banana varieties, which are resistant to diseases and provide better yields. On March 21, 2025, NARO made its latest release of a new cooking banana (matooke) variety, NARITA 17, also known as NAROBANG, a high-yielding, disease-resistant variety with desirable consumer sensory qualities.
The newly released NARITA 17 also known as NAROBANG (Left) standing against other varieties.
In the case of cassava, NARO released 19 disease-resistant varieties and are in cultivation, including NASE 3, NASE 14, and NAROCASS 1, which are resistant to Cassava Mosaic Disease and Cassava Brown Streak Disease. These improved varieties have significantly contributed to stabilizing cassava production and ensuring food security for millions of Ugandans.
In rice production, NARO’s efforts to promote 20 high-yielding rice varieties, such as NARORICE 1-4, have helped increase rice productivity from From an average of 1.2 tons/ha to 2.2 tons/ha for upland rice and 2.5 tons/ha for lowland rice, moving the country closer to self-sufficiency at 70%. The introduction of biofortified sweet potato varieties like NASPOT 1-10 and NARO SPOT 6 and 7 has significantly improved nutrition among vulnerable communities. In cassava, NARO’s release of 19 varieties since 1994 has helped farmers tackle challenges posed by diseases like cassava mosaic and brown streak, ensuring stable production and enhancing food security across the country.
Among other key crops, NARO has released 32 bean varieties, including drought-tolerant types like NAROBEAN 6 and 7, and varieties enriched with iron and zinc, such as the NABE and NAROBEAN series, which have helped address nutrition and income needs. In the sorghum sector, improved varieties like Epuripur and SESO 1 have been crucial for food security and income, particularly in semi-arid areas, and these are also used in brewing popular beers like Eagle Lager. Groundnut production has also benefited from the release of 29 varieties since 1930s, including drought-tolerant Serenut and Naronut series, enhancing farmers’ resilience to climate challenges. In sunflower cultivation, NARO has introduced three varieties, including hybrids SESUN 1H and SESUN 2H, which have improved yields and oil content.
Climate Resilience and Sustainable Farming Practices
NARO has developed several climate-resilient crop varieties to help farmers adapt to changing climatic conditions. For instance, NARO has released drought-tolerant maize varieties such as Longe 5 and Longe 10H, which are capable of producing Stable yields even under low rainfall conditions. In the beans sector, NARO introduced the NABE series—such as NABE 4 and NABE 15—known for their drought tolerance.
Improving Livestock and Animal Health
In the livestock sector, NARO has introduced improved goat and cattle breeds. In a ground-breaking innovation, NARO has developed an anti-tick vaccine with safety and efficacy at 93.2%. A facility to produce over 20 million doses annually is being constructed. Additionally, two Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) candidate vaccines have been developed, while 6 African swine fever virus isolates have been purified to aid in formulating candidate vaccines. NARO maintains over 1,000 pasture varieties. Recently, NARO released a new forage variety called NARO LABLAB 1 with a crude protein content of 26%. NARO’s research in poultry has also led to improved varieties like the Kroiler chicken.
Uganda’s first Dairy Center of Excellence opens at MbaZARDI!
This month, October 2025, will see the launch of Uganda’s first National Dairy Center of Excellence (NDCoE) at the Mbarara Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MbaZARDI). The National Dairy Center of Excellence will be a flagship institution for innovation, training, and value chain development in the dairy sector. Conceived as a “one-stop hub,” the Center will bring To tackle persistent challenges of low milk yields, limited processing, poor quality, and restricted market access, the National Dairy Center of Excellence (NDCoE) brings together farmers, researchers, students, private sector players, and government agencies. With a vision to become a leading hub of excellence in dairy innovation and sustainability, the NDCoE is committed to advancing dairy through cutting-edge research, farmer-focused training, improved genetics, and strong value chain support. The Center’s strategy is anchored on five priorities: boosting productivity on farms, improving dairy genetics, strengthening processing and market linkages, building human capacity, and promoting climate-smart, sustainable dairy farming. This holistic approach aims not only to improve farmer incomes but also to increase the availability of safe, nutritious milk products and expand Uganda’s footprint in regional and international dairy markets. To deliver on this promise, the NDCoE will run programs in research and innovation, farmer training, technology transfer, processing and marketing support, and sustainability services. From demonstration farms and field schools to quality assurance programs and policy advisory services, the Center will work along the entire value chain.
Fisheries Research
In addressing challenges in the fisheries sector, NARO’s National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) has developed improved fish strains to support sustainable aquaculture production. For instance, NARO improved a strain of Nile tilapia (growing at 2.4 g per day) and another of African catfish (growing at 3.0 g per day). These improved strains are characterized by faster growth and better adaptation to local conditions. They provide fish farmers with a reliable source of quality fish seed for optimising yields and increasing aquaculture production, helping to reduce fishing pressure on natural fish stocks.
To address the challenge of quality and cost-effective fish feed, nine (9) locally grown crop varieties with high nutritional qualities were identified for producing cost-effective feeds to boost commercial aquaculture. The crop varieties include maize (Longe 5D, Longe 5 OPM, Bazooka), sunflower (AGSUN, Sunflora), cotton (2015 A, BPA 2022), soya (Maksoy 3N, Maksoy 6N), and simsim (Sesame 2, Sesame 3). Three fish feed formulas have been developed for juvenile and grow-out Nile tilapia and African catfish based on these local crop varieties. Additionally, at least 15 fish feed producers. NAFIRRI has trained stakeholders in using crop varieties for fish feed production to scale up local feed production in Uganda. A fish feeding manual has been developed to guide farmers on optimal feeding practices for fish growth and economically viable, environmentally safe aquaculture.
To address inadequate fisheries data, NAFIRRI developed an innovative electronic Catch Assessment Survey (e-CAS) tool for real-time data collection from lakes Albert and Victoria, with 16,164 records. The tool reduced data collection costs by 80% and is used for training stakeholders including university students, fisheries staff, managers, and policymakers. It is now used for routine reporting, with plans to scale up to other water bodies.
Forestry Research
NARO’s National Forestry Resources Research Institute (NaFORRI) has released improved fast-growing tree varieties like Eucalyptus grandis and Pinus caribaea to combat deforestation. Agroforestry species such as Grevillea robusta and Sesbania sesban improve soil fertility and provide fodder. Research on woody plants led to an antidiabetic drug, KAV 400, currently under registration.
National Soil Map Update
NARO is developing a detailed 1:50,000 scale soil map, starting with the Greater Masaka area. A digitized Masaka soil sheet has been produced, identifying 66 soil types compared to 10 in the old 1:250,000 scale map.
Shea Butter Oil Biosynthesis
NARO identified genes that can increase bio-based oil production in shea nut trees, guiding breeding for higher oil yield and seed multiplication to maximize commercial potential.
Jackfruit Grafting Protocols
NARO developed a grafting protocol that reduces jackfruit fruiting time from 5 to 2 years. It also profiled four ethno-varieties—Kanamali, Namata, Namussiri, Sereben—for pulp composition to guide value addition.
Biodiversity Conservation
NARO conserves biodiversity at the Plant Genetic Resources Center in Entebbe and mass-propagates Dendrocalamus sapor bamboo and Mondia whitei for environmental and medicinal use.
Focus on Bamboo
Studies on Dendrocalamus giganteus and Bambusa vulgaris show they are promising renewable energy sources due to high volatile matter and calorific value. Using bamboo for fuel can reduce deforestation, which currently claims 100,000 hectares annually in Uganda.
Enhancing Macadamia Production
Three improved macadamia varieties—KMB-3, KRG-15, MRC-20—with high yield and faster maturity (3 years vs. 8 years) have been adopted.
Research and Management of Mycotoxins
NARO developed two biological control products, UGO1 and KE01 (Aflasafe), using non-aflatoxin-producing strains. Tested over four seasons in 500+ fields, they effectively control aflatoxin and will be part of an integrated management approach. An Aflasafe production facility is advanced at Nabyesasa, Wakiso district