Entebbe, Uganda – FAO Director-General QU Dongyu visited Uganda’s National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) on Tuesday, praising the institute’s researchers for driving the transformation of the country’s agrifood system with the trust of smallholders and for the “benefit of all the people of this country.”
Qu’s visit took place after he met with President Yoweri Museveni.
NARO is working on a variety of initiatives including the development of multi-stress crop varieties, aflatoxin control and climate resilience. It is focused on priority crops such as beans, cassava, maize, rice and oil palm, and conducts research aimed at boosting Uganda’s livestock productivity through nutrition, breeding, and other efficient, cost-effective technologies and innovations.
“The importance of investing in science, technology and innovation has neve been greater,” the Director-General said, noting that they can turn challenges related to food security and climate stressors into opportunities.
“Your creativity and determination are the seeds from which tomorrow’s breakthroughs will emerge,” he said in remarks to NARO’s researchers and young scientists.
FAO and NARO have a rich history of cooperation in assuring smallholders can access agricultural technologies, information on pest control measures and capacity building projects for researchers and agriculture extension workers. The FAO-China-Uganda-South-South Cooperation programmes include projects involving rice and foxtail millet and soon goat breeding. Further collaboration, with the European Union’s support, is planned for rangeland health in pastoral areas of Karamoja.
Earlier this year, FAO organized the International Forum on Small-Scale Poultry and Feed Value Chains in Uganda to kick off related activities across Africa.
Qu emphasized that Uganda has a strong natural resource endowment, with fertile soils, a favorable climate and abundant water and lakes, allowing it to pursue a variety of commodity crops including coffee, tea and bananas and also to exploit huge opportunities in the dairy and aquaculture sectors.
“Uganda is not only feeding its people, it is helping to feed the region,” the Director-General said. “The country is self-sufficient in staple food production and plays a vital role in regional food security and trade.”
Source : FAO
