Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze urged project teams to develop comprehensive value chain initiatives during a visit by the World Bank to the National Agricultural Research Organisation facility in Wakiso District. He warned against isolated approaches that promote production without market connections, citing the example of vanilla cultivation as an illustration of poor planning. The minister emphasized that seasonal alignment prevents input mismatches while complete value chains make farming more meaningful for producers. President Yoweri Museveni strongly supports agricultural research efforts across Uganda.
World Bank Divisional Director Qimiao Fan led the delegation and praised NARO's agricultural transformation work after touring research facilities. Fan noted that Uganda's maize yields average 2.3 metric tons per hectare, compared to 6-7 tons in other countries, suggesting that the income potential could double or triple. The bank prioritizes agriculture support as part of Uganda's strategy to reach tenfold economic growth by 2040. NARO Director General Yona Baguma requested continued collaboration on productivity technologies and climate resilience programs.
World Bank Divisional Director Qimiao Fan led the delegation and praised NARO's agricultural transformation work after touring research facilities. Fan noted that Uganda's maize yields average 2.3 metric tons per hectare, compared to 6-7 tons in other countries, suggesting that the income potential could double or triple. The bank prioritizes agriculture support as part of Uganda's strategy to reach tenfold economic growth by 2040. NARO Director General Yona Baguma requested continued collaboration on productivity technologies and climate resilience programs.
