The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) has emerged as the best-performing government institution at the 32nd National Agricultural Show in Jinja, with judges crediting the agency for translating scientific research into practical technologies that are transforming Uganda’s agriculture.
The award was announced during the closing ceremony of the 10-day exhibition on Sunday, bringing to a close one of the country’s largest agricultural events that drew thousands of exhibitors, farmers, researchers, development partners and visitors from across Uganda and the East African region.
NARO’s victory comes at a time when Uganda is intensifying efforts to modernise agriculture through research, mechanisation, climate-smart farming and value addition as the sector remains the backbone of the country’s economy.
Presenting the evaluation committee’s report, committee chairperson Benjamin Isabirye said NARO stood out because of its continued investment in research and its success in ensuring that scientific innovations reach farmers.
“NARO has demonstrated excellence in agricultural research and technology development. It is also the government agency that has excelled in innovation dissemination and the provision of scientific solutions that support Uganda’s agricultural transformation,” Isabirye said.
The National Agricultural Show, held from June 26 to July 5 at the Jinja Show Grounds, featured practical demonstrations covering nearly every aspect of the agricultural value chain, from crop production and livestock farming to agro-processing, mechanisation and agribusiness.
A showcase of innovations
NARO’s exhibition attracted significant attention from visitors who interacted with scientists demonstrating a broad range of technologies aimed at increasing productivity, improving resilience to climate change and boosting farmers’ incomes.
Among the innovations showcased was the much-publicised anti-tick vaccine, which researchers say has the potential to significantly reduce livestock losses caused by tick-borne diseases while lowering farmers’ dependence on expensive acaricides.
The research organisation also displayed value-added banana products, improved coffee production technologies, forestry innovations, solutions tailored for semi-arid farming systems, climate-smart agricultural technologies and several improved crop varieties designed to produce higher yields while offering better nutritional value.
Visitors were also introduced to pest- and disease-resistant crop technologies, agricultural mechanisation innovations and a newly developed black rice variety that researchers say offers enhanced nutritional and health benefits.
The diversity of technologies reflected NARO’s mandate of conducting agricultural research that addresses challenges affecting farmers across Uganda’s different agro-ecological zones.
Judges applaud exhibitors
While announcing the winners, the evaluation committee commended exhibitors for raising the standard of displays during this year’s exhibition.
According to Isabirye, the quality of innovations on display demonstrated Uganda’s growing capacity in agricultural research, production and industrialisation.
“The quality of exhibitions reflected the country’s growing capacity in agricultural production, research, mechanization, value addition, climate-smart agriculture, and agro-industrial development,” he said.
The committee noted that exhibitors increasingly focused on practical technologies capable of solving real farming challenges while creating commercial opportunities for farmers.
Government recommits to agricultural transformation
Speaking during the closing ceremony, Minister of State for Agriculture Desire Muhooza praised the Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNFFE) for organising the annual exhibition, saying it continues to play a critical role in advancing government’s agricultural transformation agenda.
She said the exhibition aligns with President Yoweri Museveni’s long-standing vision of moving Uganda away from subsistence farming towards commercial agriculture by exposing farmers to modern technologies, improved production methods and market opportunities.
According to the minister, strengthening agricultural extension services remains a government priority to ensure farmers receive timely technical guidance while policymakers receive accurate feedback from farming communities.
“I want to deploy ‘battalions’ on the ground so that farmers receive the right messages while also establishing a dependable feedback mechanism that enables us to implement solutions tailored to the real challenges they face,” Muhooza said.
She explained that improved extension services would bridge the gap between scientific research institutions and farmers, ensuring innovations developed by agencies such as NARO are adopted more widely across the country.
Regional agricultural shows proposed
Muhooza also announced plans for broader consultations aimed at establishing regional agricultural exhibition centres.
She said replicating the success of the Jinja National Agricultural Show in other regions would make agricultural innovations more accessible to farmers who may not be able to travel to the annual exhibition.
Regional exhibition spaces, she noted, would strengthen knowledge sharing, encourage innovation and accelerate the adoption of modern farming technologies across Uganda.
Coffee seedlings in focus
One of the major directives issued during the event targeted NARO’s National Coffee Research Institute (NaCORI).
The minister instructed the institute to urgently develop mechanisms to meet the growing national demand for quality coffee seedlings.
The directive comes amid Uganda’s aggressive expansion of coffee production as government seeks to increase export earnings and improve household incomes through the coffee value chain.
Demand for improved seedlings has continued to rise as more farmers embrace coffee cultivation under various government programmes aimed at boosting production and exports.
New coffee campaign unveiled
The exhibition also provided a platform for NARO to launch a new initiative targeting coffee-growing communities.
Dubbed “Next Wave: Seeds of Wealth,” the campaign seeks to build resilient and economically secure coffee farming communities in the Busoga and Bukedi sub-regions.
According to NARO, the initiative will combine agricultural research, innovation and improved access to quality planting materials to strengthen coffee production while improving farmers’ livelihoods.
The campaign is expected to support the government’s broader agenda of transforming coffee into one of Uganda’s leading export commodities.
Agriculture remains central
The National Agricultural Show has for decades served as Uganda’s premier platform for showcasing advances in agriculture, bringing together researchers, government agencies, private companies, farmers and development partners.
Beyond exhibitions, the annual event facilitates knowledge exchange, technology transfer and business networking while exposing farmers to innovations capable of improving productivity and profitability.
This year’s exhibition placed considerable emphasis on climate-smart agriculture, value addition, mechanisation and scientific innovation, reflecting the country’s increasing focus on building a modern and competitive agricultural sector capable of withstanding climate-related challenges.
For NARO, the latest recognition reinforces its role as Uganda’s principal agricultural research institution and highlights the growing importance of science in addressing food security, improving farm incomes and supporting national economic transformation.
Education Show begins
Although the National Agricultural Show has officially concluded, activity at the Jinja Show Grounds continues with the annual Education Show, which runs from July 6 to July 11.
The exhibition is expected to attract learners, educators and innovators from across the country and will focus on inspiring young people to embrace agriculture through innovation, agribusiness and practical learning experiences.
This year’s Education Show is being held under the theme: “Youth-Driven Innovation: Growing the Future of the Agricultural Industry,” highlighting the growing role of young people in shaping the future of Uganda’s agricultural sector.
