NARO pledges continued support for agro industrialisation in Uganda

WAKISO, September 17, 2025 –- The National Agricultural Research Organisation [NARO] has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting agro-industrial growth in Uganda through targeted agricultural research and innovation initiatives.

Speaking during a recent visit to Psalms Food Industries in Nkoowe, Wakiso district, NARO Director General Dr Yona Baguma said the organisation has strategically deployed specialised research teams at its 16 agricultural research institutes across the country to directly support agro-industrialists.

Baguma highlighted the increasing role of the National Agricultural Research Laboratories [NARL] in Kawanda, which is being further strengthened to take the lead in offering agro-industrial support services.

“Most of the challenges facing agro-industrialists in Uganda, whether related to specific crop traits or machinery, can be addressed by NARO. We are also developing product prototypes that entrepreneurs at all levels can scale up into viable industries,” he said.

Psalms Food Industries, which has been in operation for over 15 years, produces a wide range of food products including Sumz, Krunchables, and Afrikan Harvest snacks.

Baguma revealed that NARO has now adopted a demand-driven approach, allowing industrialists to define the traits they need in raw materials, which research teams then deliver.

“We are now operating with market-led breeding lines. Industrialists determine what they need, and we tailor our research accordingly,” he explained.

Dennis Ngabirano, CEO of Psalms Food Industries, shared the challenges they face in maintaining consistent quality and quantity of agro-based raw materials, which he said often results in losses.

“Quality directly affects the final product. Different groundnut varieties mature under varying conditions, and when farmers mix them, it leads to wastage during processing—translating into direct financial losses,” Ngabirano noted.

He also pointed out that inconsistent supply forces the company to occasionally shut down production lines.

“There are seasons when we have to halt operations entirely due to supply gaps. The farmers are not the issue, it’s the systemic problems that must be addressed,” he said.

Ngabirano called for deliberate interventions, such as mass seed multiplication and ensuring farmers have access to high-quality seeds and seedlings, to resolve the twin issues of quality and quantity.

NARO has already invested in developing improved crop varieties critical to agro-processing, including groundnuts, maize, Irish potatoes, sesame [sim sim], and other oilseed crops.

Last year, the National Variety Release Committee [NVRC] approved three groundnut varieties developed by NARO [NARONUT 3R, NARONUT 4R, and NARONUT 5R]. These varieties are rich in nutrients and well-suited for peanut butter and other confectionery products.

More recently, NARO released new Irish potato varieties, NARO Pot 5 through to NARO Pot 10, designed specifically for industrial processing into chips and crisps.

Founded 15 years ago with a focus on ripe sweet plantain [gonja crisps], Psalms Food Industries has grown its product line to over 30 items. These include potato crisps, baked goods, extruded snacks, peanut butter, and a variety of flavoured honeys. The company has also expanded into regional markets including Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan.

https://thecooperator.news/lira-agro-input-dealers-urged-to-promote-use-of-ppe-among-farmers/

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