LIRA CITY, March 18, 2026 — The Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute [ZARDI] in Lira City has launched a project aimed at helping farmers, cooperatives and small agribusiness enterprises boost productivity, competitiveness and resilience to climate change.
According to Dr Alfred Kumakech, the Director of Research at Ngetta ZARDI, the Shs 71 million project is focused on improving access to quality seed and strengthening the resilience of smallholder farmers in Northern Uganda.
The project will be implemented in six districts of Lira, Oyam, Kitgum, Pader, Agago and Abim, reaching farming communities across the region.
The initiative is supported by the International Trade Centre [ITC] and World Vision, with funding from the Korean International Cooperation Agency [KOICA], and is being implemented by the National Agricultural Research Organisation [NARO] through Ngetta ZARDI.
Kumakech said the intervention comes at a critical time when farmers are increasingly facing challenges such as climate variability, limited access to quality inputs and market uncertainty.
He noted that the overall goal of the project is to improve seed access and build resilience among smallholder farmers in the region.
“Quality seed is the foundation of agricultural productivity and food security. By strengthening local seed systems, we empower farming communities to produce and sustain improved seed within their own localities,” Kumakech said.
“By collaborating closely with farmer groups, local governments and development partners, we believe this initiative will significantly contribute to improving seed quality, strengthening farmer livelihoods and building more resilient agricultural systems,” he added.
A key component of the project is a gender-sensitive capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening the capacity of five existing Local Seed Business [LSB] groups through targeted training and technical support in improved seed production techniques.
In addition, the project will support three new farmer groups to establish and operate their own LSBs, providing them with technical guidance and start-up foundation seed.
Officials said this will increase the availability of seed locally and strengthen community-based seed enterprises.
Another major aspect of the project is the promotion of climate-resilient seed production practices. Through practical demonstration plots and tailored capacity-building sessions, farmers will gain the knowledge and skills needed to adapt to changing climatic conditions and sustain agricultural productivity.
https://thecooperator.news/ngetta-zardi-kicks-off-planting/
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