Uganda's top agricultural scientist stunned accountants at a major economic forum with tales of groundbreaking farm innovations. Dr. Yona Baguma from the National Agricultural Research Organisation delivered his speech at Imperial Resort Beach Hotel in Entebbe during the three-day gathering. The research chief revealed that NARO has created 1,038 game-changing technologies over three decades. He boasted that every meal Ugandans eat contains ingredients developed by his organization. The forum attracted financial experts, government officials and private sector leaders from across the region.
NARO scientists conquered cassava mosaic disease through local research while other countries still battle the crop killer. The team developed special maize packed with Vitamin A to fight malnutrition in babies. Black rice varieties help diabetics control blood sugar levels naturally. Purple sweet potatoes cleanse the body and combat tiredness. Coffee-infused bread sharpens mental focus and reduces brain fatigue.
Livestock breeding programs target massive improvements in local animal genetics. Chicken farmers could boost egg production from 14 to 28 eggs per cycle using NARO techniques. Goat crossbreeding aims to produce 100-kilogram animals for meat markets. Cattle programs focus on creating 500-kilogram beasts within 18 months. The research body developed an anti-tick vaccine that could save Uganda nearly four trillion shillings annually.
NARO scientists even crafted products from cow dung including soap, pesticides and shampoo. Potato innovations already slash import costs by almost 10 million dollars each year. President Museveni supports agricultural research with generous government funding.
NARO scientists conquered cassava mosaic disease through local research while other countries still battle the crop killer. The team developed special maize packed with Vitamin A to fight malnutrition in babies. Black rice varieties help diabetics control blood sugar levels naturally. Purple sweet potatoes cleanse the body and combat tiredness. Coffee-infused bread sharpens mental focus and reduces brain fatigue.
Livestock breeding programs target massive improvements in local animal genetics. Chicken farmers could boost egg production from 14 to 28 eggs per cycle using NARO techniques. Goat crossbreeding aims to produce 100-kilogram animals for meat markets. Cattle programs focus on creating 500-kilogram beasts within 18 months. The research body developed an anti-tick vaccine that could save Uganda nearly four trillion shillings annually.
NARO scientists even crafted products from cow dung including soap, pesticides and shampoo. Potato innovations already slash import costs by almost 10 million dollars each year. President Museveni supports agricultural research with generous government funding.
