The National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) has lauded its partnership with the Korea Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture (KOPIA) for catalyzing transformative growth within Uganda’s agricultural landscape. During a prestigious policy workshop commemorating KOPIA’s 15th anniversary in Seoul, South Korea, held on Wednesday, Dr. Yona Baguma, the Director General of NARO, emphasized the pivotal role of this collaboration in driving sustainable development, enhancing livelihoods, and fostering economic progress across the nation.
Dr. Baguma highlighted the remarkable success witnessed among citrus farmers in the Teso sub-region, where the implementation of the Citrus Model Village, a joint initiative between NARO and KOPIA, led to a substantial increase in both yield and income.
Notably, annual citrus yield surged by 210% in the inaugural year of 2021, followed by a further 194% increase in the subsequent year. Concurrently, farmers’ incomes soared by 208% between 2020 and 2021, with an additional 32.7% rise observed in 2021-2022.
Furthermore, the collaborative efforts between NARO and KOPIA have resulted in the development and dissemination of fast-maturing, high-yielding aromatic rice varieties, including KAFACI-39 and NARO-Rice 1, significantly bolstering rice production in Uganda. Dr. Baguma also underscored the adoption of innovative techniques such as polyvinyl mulching technology, which has substantially increased potato seed production, consequently elevating both seed supply and farmers’ incomes. Quality potato seed supply surged from under 150 metric tons to over 500 metric tons, while the average annual household income of potato farmers rose to $5,573 (approximately UGX 21 million).
Reiterating the government’s commitment to prioritize agriculture as a key driver of national well-being, Dr. Baguma emphasized the sector’s vital contribution to Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), accounting for up to 24%. With 80% of the Ugandan workforce engaged in agriculture, predominantly subsistence farming, concerted efforts are underway to catalyze agrifood systems transformation. Strategic initiatives such as the Uganda Vision 2040, the Third National Development Plan (NDPIII), and the Parish Development Model (PDM) aim to boost productivity, increase exports, and generate wealth and employment at the grassroots level.
Looking towards the future, Dr. Baguma outlined avenues for further technical cooperation between NARO and international partners, including the Korea Food Research Institute (KFRI). These collaborations seek to enhance value addition, offer specialized training, establish technology hubs, and ensure the long-term conservation of genetic resources. Accompanying the delegation to South Korea is Dr. Swidiq Mugerwa, the NARO Deputy Director General in charge of Research Coordination.
The NARO-KOPIA collaboration stands as a testament to the power of international partnerships in driving agricultural innovation and propelling Uganda towards sustainable development and prosperity.