NARO promotes agriculture diversity through seed banks and fairs
The campaign powered by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation [FAO], under the programme; Integrating Climate Resilience into Agricultural and Pastoral Production in Uganda, through a Farmers/Agro-pastoralists Field Schools Approach, includes holding a series of seed fairs across the different regions in the country to promote local crop varieties for food security.
LUWERO, December 4, 2025 – – The National Agriculture Research Organisation [NARO] through Mukono Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute [MUZARDI], has launched a campaign to promote diversity of agriculture through establishment of seed banks and organising agriculture seed fairs.
The campaign powered by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation [FAO], under the programme; Integrating Climate Resilience into Agricultural and Pastoral Production in Uganda, through a Farmers/Agro-pastoralists Field Schools Approach, includes holding a series of seed fairs across the different regions in the country to promote local crop varieties for food security.
The first activities were held recently in Nakasongola, Nakaseke, Kayunga, and Luwero districts, with several indigenous seed varieties under the theme “Celebrating Diversity: Preserving Our Agricultural Heritage through Local Seeds.”
The events that attracted over 600 participants, including farmers, extension workers, community leaders, youth and women groups, researchers, and seed companies, was a worthwhile platform for exchanging seeds, showcasing locally adapted crops, and educating attendees on the value of locally adapted diversity.
Practitioners exhibited their best seeds and agricultural practices, and locally generated technologies that have excelled.
The District Production and Marketing Officer for Nakasongola district Sarah Nakamya emphasised the importance of conserving indigenous knowledge and recognized partners like Holland Greentech for their contributions to the cause.
The Director of Research MUZARDI, Dr Barbara Zawedde called for collaborative efforts among the different players to ensure sustainable conservation of local seeds and promote biodiversity among farmers.
The FAO Coordinator in Uganda Brenda Piloya highlighted the role of seed fairs in enhancing food nutrition and supporting livelihoods.
“FAO pledges commitment to continue promoting local seed diversity as a critical aspect of enhancing food security and supporting sustainable agricultural practices among farmer communities,” she said.
The fairs strengthen connections among stakeholders, promote local seed exchange, and reinforce the need for greater participation in future events, while the community seed banks play critical roles in conserving genetic diversity, promoting sustainable agriculture, and fostering knowledge sharing among farmers.
Farmers also get an opportunity to share ideas on a singular platform to store, exchange and reproduce seeds, ensuring continuous availability and access to quality diverse and locally adaptive varieties.
A total of 30 members from Kabunyata Dembelyo Development, Twezimbe Women’s Group and Ky’osimba Onaanya Farmers’ Group located in Kamira Subcounty, Luwero district were trained and facilitated with inputs to establish a community seed bank.
Through participatory approach, the groups were trained to carry out situation analysis, collect seed from farmers’ preferred crop, trees and pastures species and develop a cost effective infrastructure for the seed bank, to establish mother gardens for vegetative propagated species, and establish a management system for the seed bank.
After the training, members of Twezimbe Field School embarked on collecting and conserving seed including beans, soybean, millet, sorghum among others while one the farmers donated a quarter an acre of land for the community seed bank that will be used for seed multiplication.
A similar 2.5 acre community mother garden for mangoes and avocado is set to be established in Bututumula Subcounty, in Luwero district after a 10-member group under-went training. FAO has provided support for land preparation including ploughing, pitting, planting and planting materials for improved mango, and avocado varieties.
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