Uganda agricultural body seeks private partnerships
NARO plans to commercialise research facilities like processing plants and mills to boost revenue.
The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) in Uganda is exploring public-private partnerships to generate revenue and ensure financial sustainability for agricultural research. The organisation held a top management meeting on November 4, 2026, at Speke Resort Munyonyo to review proposals for commercialising its assets and facilities. These partnerships aim to attract private sector investment, expertise, and technology to maximise the use of NARO’s existing infrastructure.
NARO Director General Dr. Yona Baguma stated that the organisation needs to harness the capacity of its facilities to generate additional resources for research and contribute to national revenue. Identified facilities for commercialisation include a dairy processing plant and livestock feed mill at NaLIRRI, a fish feed mill at NaFIRRI, and a feed sorting facility at Mbarara ZARDI. Hostel facilities at NaFIRRI and MuZARDI are also part of the plan.
Dr. Baguma noted that while government funding remains primary, NARO must diversify its sources as development partner support declines. He highlighted that NARO's annual budget has increased from UGX 61 billion to UGX 223 billion over the past decade, but additional financing is needed. An existing initiative, licensing improved crop varieties, already generates over UGX 1 billion annually.
Why it mattersUgandan farmers and the agricultural sector will benefit from increased investment in research and development of new crop varieties and processing technologies.