NARO Uganda

Today at Kololo, we join the nation to celebrate the incredible role of women in transforming Uganda’s agriculture. From farms to laboratories, women are driving innovation, strengthening food security, and shaping the future of our food systems. At NARO, we remain committed to empowering women through science, technology, and knowledge. @Mglsd_UG @UN_Women

🎓 What is a PhD? Why do you want one? These were the powerful questions posed by the DG during today's UCSATP PhD Students Orientation. A clear answer to these questions can shape a student’s entire PhD journey keeping it focused, purposeful, and exciting rather than stressful. At NARO, with over 120 PhD holders, earning a PhD is no longer the headline. The real impact comes from putting that knowledge into service using science and research to solve real problems facing humanity. 👏 Congratulations to all scholars who have been awarded the UCSATP PhD scholarships. Your journey begins today, and we look forward to the innovations and solutions your research will bring to transform agriculture and livelihoods.

Great conversations and learning at the Harvest Money Expo, Kololo. Farmers engaged experts on key challenges including: 🐟 Improving fish farming systems 🌾 Growing quality livestock pasture 🌍 Managing aflatoxin contamination to meet export standards If you missed us or still have questions, follow up with NARO for expert advice and technologies. #HarvestMoneyExpo

Already being adopted by farmers and locally known as Kisansa/Sekimwanyi Uganda’s natural capital may become its next premium coffee story ☕

EXCELSA — Uganda’s Wild Coffee Uganda has long relied on two coffee species: Arabica & Robusta. But from the Zoka Central Forest Reserve comes a third, Excelsa. Now under research at the NARO Kamenyamigo Sub-station in partnership with Makerere University @MakCAES, @ugwildlife & @kyagalanyicoffe this indigenous coffee could reshape the future of production. Why it matters 👇 ☑️ Highly tolerant to climate change ☑️ Fruits throughout the year (multiple harvests) ☑️ Strong economic potential for farmers 📊 Yield potential • 1 tree ≈ 5 kg/season • 2 seasons/year → 10 kg/tree • 225 trees/acre → ~2,250 kg/year

We are Hiring!! Senior Legal Officer (UR 4 – Admin) reports to the Principal Legal Officer and supports the organisation through timely legal advice and opinions. The role provides guidance on land, labour & employment, and administrative matters across all units in line with institutional objectives. Find full advert here: naro.go.ug/available-vaca…

We invites eligible contractors to bid for the Construction & Rehabilitation of Screen Houses and Green Houses across multiple NARO stations. 📍 Pre-bid meeting: 6 Feb 2026, NaCORI–Mukono 🕚 Bid submission deadline: 19 Feb 2026, 11:00 AM For more details: naro.go.ug/supply-and-del…

1️⃣ Yield & price realism: The figures shared are conservative scenarios to factor in production risks. Under good agronomic conditions, yields can reach ~200 kg/tree/year at maturity. Harvesting typically begins around year 3, with trees remaining productive for 50–100+ years. Macadamia also supports intercropping in early years. 2️⃣ Market certainty: A key current off-taker in Uganda is Amafh Farms (@amafhfarms), which is actively aggregating and processing macadamia. 3️⃣ Access to verified guidance: Amafh Farms provides training (by appointment), certified seedlings, and technical support to out-growers, including post-harvest handling and quality requirements. With clearer market linkages, quality standards, and extension support, macadamia presents a strong long-term income opportunity for youth and investors.

This is promising and I like the numbers, but for youth and investors, the big issue is market certainty. How realistic is the 150 kg/tree/year under Uganda’s conditions, and at what tree age does it start reaching that level? Also, is the UGX 3,500/kg a stable farm-gate price, and does it depend on nut in shell versus kernel quality/grade? Market question: Who are the current off takers, processors, and exporters in Uganda, and are there contract or outgrower arrangements so farmers aren’t left hunting for buyers at harvest? Access to information: Where can young farmers get verified guidance on seedling sources (certified nurseries), recommended varieties, spacing, timelines to first harvest, pests and diseases, post-harvest handling, and drying standards? Are there any NARO guides/contacts or regional demo farms to visit? If market linkages and quality standards are clear, macadamia could be a serious long-term income crop.

Macadamia: A High-Value Industrial Crop Let’s consider the conservative economics of macadamia production: 1 acre ≈ 100 trees 1 tree ≈ 150 kg per year 1 kg ≈ UGX 3,500 Estimated annual return: 100 trees × 150 kg × UGX 3,500 = UGX 52,500,000 per acre NARO visited @amafhfarms in Mityana, one of Uganda’s leading macadamia producers. The farm has developed over 10 value-added macadamia products, demonstrating the strong industrial and commercial potential of this crop.

To unlock this potential at scale, NARO is committed to supporting high-value agro-industries through:

To unlock this potential at scale, NARO is committed to supporting high-value agro-industries through: Improving seed varieties by profiling industry-specific quality parameters to address production and processing gaps Strengthening the seed multiplication system to ensure reliable availability of quality planting materials Designing targeted education and training programs for farmers and extension workers Establishing nationwide macadamia demonstration farms to accelerate adoption and best practices Macadamia presents a clear opportunity for income diversification, agro-industrial growth, and value addition in Uganda.

Today: NARO paid a strategic visit to @MandelaMillers Limited to engage with the agro-processing industry and identify research-driven solutions along the grain value chain. Mandela Millers processes maize (locally produced) and wheat (largely imported). The engagement focused on understanding key bottlenecks affecting grain quality and processing. A major gap identified: some high-yielding varieties preferred by farmers do not meet critical quality parameters required by processors, leading to high rejection rates. Moving forward: NARO will profile agro-industry quality requirements and integrate them into breeding programs ensuring seed varieties meet both farmer productivity and industry standards. Strengthening research–industry linkages will improve raw material quality, reduce reliance on imported additives, and support Uganda’s agro-industrialisation agenda.

@NARO_NaCRRI : At the Heart of Uganda’s Food Security 🇺🇬 In 1945, long before many of us were born, agricultural experts sought land to generate solutions for Uganda’s future food needs. They met the Buganda King, Sir Edward Mutesa II, who guided them to consult the bataka wherever land would be willingly offered. Three sites were proposed: Kira, Namulonge, and Nakaseke. At Namulonge, Musajjaalumbwa, a visionary mutaka, agreed. Under a mvule tree, a simple agreement was made marking the birth of NaCRRI. 💡80 years later, that foresight lives on. What began as a local act of trust is now evolving into a Research City, driven by world-class cassava and rice centres of excellence powering Uganda’s food security today and tomorrow. #NaCRRI80Years #FoodSecurityUG #FromRootsToResearch 🌱

OFFICIAL NOTICE The list of shortlisted candidates for NARO 2026 oral interviews is now available. Candidates are advised to check the details here: 🔗 naro.go.ug/shortlisted-ca…

Yesterday, NARO officially swore in the new Contracts Committee. We appreciate @PPDAUganda for overseeing the process and for the continuous guidance and capacity-building trainings that strengthen accountability and good governance.

2026 Annual Message from the Director General – Key Highlights 1️⃣ 2025 was a year of transformation. Despite global funding shocks and geopolitical shifts, NARO remained resilient, adaptive, and focused on delivering science for national and regional development. 2️⃣ Funding challenges met with reform. Sudden cuts from long-standing partners tested the research system—but with GoU support, NARO reformed financial mobilisation, prioritised high-impact research, and maintained stable operations. 3️⃣ Stronger partnerships, global confidence. Support from Government, development partners, universities, private sector, and international institutions sustained research outputs and innovation momentum. 4️⃣ Major institutional reforms delivered. ✔️ Banana Research Program moved to NaCRRI ✔️ NARO-NARL positioned as a Regional Biosciences & Lab Centre ✔️ CABI & ILRI country offices relocated to NARO 5️⃣ Strategic alignment achieved. The NARO Strategic Plan 2025/26–2029/30 was launched—aligned to NDP IV—prioritising value addition, agro-industrialisation, technology adoption & productivity growth. 6️⃣ New Centres of Excellence established. National Sugar Research Institute National Dairy Centre of Excellence Cocoa Research Program to boost exports & industrial growth 7️⃣ Governance strengthened. A new NARO Governing Council, Institute Advisory Committees, and a revitalised NARO Holdings Ltd Board now drive stronger oversight and commercialization. 8️⃣ Technology commercialization expanded. 6 new seed companies licensed in 2025—bringing the total to 32—supporting distribution of over 100 NARO-developed varieties nationwide and beyond. 9️⃣ Celebrating legacy & impact. 🎉 NaCRRI marked 75 years of service. 🔜 In 2026: Fisheries Institute @80 & Mbarara ZARDI @100 years. 🔟 Food security milestones. NARO hosted World Food Day 2025, launching 8 new crop varieties (banana, potato & millet) to support climate-smart, market-ready farming. 1️⃣1️⃣ Investing in people. 40 MSc, 23 PhD scholars & 72 competitive research grantees supported under UCSATP—ensuring research serves farmers and industry. 1️⃣2️⃣ Looking ahead to 2026. ✔️ Scale access to anti-tick vaccine, Aflasafe & quality seedlings ✔️ Deepen AI & risk management ✔️ Strengthen partnerships for greater impact 🇺🇬 NARO Innovates for Sustainable Agricultural Transformation. For God and My Country 📄 Full letter here: naro.go.ug/2026-annual-le…

As we enter the festive season, rice becomes a staple on nearly every table, increasing demand across the country. At NARO, our mandate is to safeguard national food security by ensuring the availability and productivity of key food crops. Today, NARO, in partnership with @JicaUganda under the DREAM RICE Project, signed an MoU with six Japanese universities to strengthen capacity in rice research, production, and productivity laying a strong foundation for sustainable rice supply in Uganda.

Some “omuntu wa wansi” still wonder what NARO does. Today, through the Breeders’ Royalties Awards, we take the opportunity to showcase NARO’s tangible impact on the lives of Ugandans. NARO develops improved seed varieties and agricultural technologies, which are then licensed to seed multiplication companies and plant breeders. These partners multiply and distribute the seeds, ensuring farmers across the country can access high-quality, improved varieties. So, the next time you purchase improved seed, remember—it is the result of years of dedicated research and hard work by NARO scientists. Today @NARO_NaCRRI , we proudly recognise and reward our scientists for the royalties earned from their innovations—a testament to their dedication, ingenuity, and lasting contribution to transforming Uganda’s agriculture. @GovUganda @FrankTumwebazek @MAAIF_Uganda @URSBHQ