National

Tooro Kingdom Partners with NARO to Boost Agricultural Development

Ssekanjako Deus
By Ssekanjako Deus


Tooro Kingdom Partners with NARO to Boost Agricultural Development
Tooro Kingdom Partners with NARO to Boost Agricultural Development

Share


Fort Portal City, September 11, 2024 – Ahead of the Empango (coronation anniversary
celebrations) tomorrow, Tooro Kingdom has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with
the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) to implement joint transformational
agricultural activities in the region.


The signing held at the Kingdom’s Parliament in Fort Portal City on Wednesday, was
performed by the Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Mr. Steven Kiyingi Frankston, and the Minister
for Agriculture, Hon. Sabiiti Amooti, while the team from NARO was led by the Director
General, Dr. Yona Baguma and the Chairperson Governing council, Dr. William Olaho
Mukani.


Kiyingi noted that the memorandum was timely to support the King’s ongoing efforts to fight
against the high stunted growth rate in the region.
“Tooro has been reported to have one of the highest prevalence of stunted children despite
of our fertile soils and favourable climate. This is a problem we are grappling with. This MoU
avails us the opportunity to tap into NARO’s technologies to end this challenge.” The Prime
Minister noted.


He observed that stunting had adverse effects on the cognitive abilities of the populace,
whose impact extends to the general economic and human development indicators.
He said many kingdom subjects were preoccupied by “wasteful living” but the prospects of
promoting NARO’s technologies and innovations would spur production and productivity and
change the narrative.

 

NARO Director General, Dr. Yona Baguma and Tooro Prime Minister, Steven Kiyingi Frankston signing the MoU in Fort Portal on Wednesday


Dr. Yona Baguma revealed that the partnership, built on NARO's 30 years of agricultural
innovation and research, will bring advanced technologies and tailored solutions closer to
the people of Tooro and leap frog transformation in line with Government aspirations.
“With sixteen public research institutes under our belt, including the Rwebitaba Institute in
Tooro, we are committed to delivering technologies tailored to the specific agro-ecological
zones across Uganda.” he said.


He said interventions would align with President Yoweri Museveni’s broader vision for
agricultural transformation, including modernization, agro-industrialization, climate-smart
practices, and the promotion of high-value crops such as macadamia, cashew nuts, Hass
avocados, and cocoa, among others.


“The partnership will particularly benefit from NARO's extensive research on high-yielding,
disease-resistant, and climate-resilient crop varieties, as well as improved livestock breeds,
better pasture varieties, management and disease control.” He said, adding that NARO’s
efforts in conservation agriculture and value addition technologies are expected to provide
farmers with tools to boost production, income, and climate resilience.


With the Kingdom of Tooro being renowned for its fertile soils and breathtaking landscapes,
interventions will also be geared towards tapping into the agritourism potential.

“We believe that integrating agricultural activities into the Kingdom's flourishing tourism
economy can unlock new potential, adding value to Tooro’s rich heritage and beautiful
landscapes. Agritourism will enhance visitor experiences while providing farmers and local
communities with sustainable livelihoods.” Dr. Baguma noted.

 

NARO Director General, Dr. Yona Baguma and Tooro Prime Minister, Steven Kiyingi Frankston after signing the MoU in Fort Portal on Wednesday


He cited the establishment of agrotourism hubs that will allow visitors to participate in
farming activities, learning about indigenous knowledge systems, and sample value-added
products like specialty teas, coffee, honey, and dairy products.


Under the forestry sub-sector, NARO will propagate the fast-growing, high-yielding tree
varieties it has developed to cater to the growing demand for timber, firewood, and other
forest products while supporting reforestation and afforestation efforts. Furthermore, NARO's
research in value addition encourages the processing of forest products such as honey,
mushrooms, and medicinal plants, creating alternative income opportunities for rural
communities.


Commenting on the fluctuated prices for tea, which is widely grown in the region, the
Director General said NARO is developing new varieties of specialty teas, such as green
and purple teas, which command higher market prices and offer better income prospects for
farmers.


“These specialty teas not only provide economic benefits but also have nutritional attributes
and environmental advantages. Additionally, NARO has created various value-added tea
products, which we intend to promote among tea farmers and industrialists to diversify their
enterprises and enhance profitability.” He said.


NARO’s Rwebitaba Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (RwebiZARDI),
located within the Kingdom of Tooro, will play a central role in implementing this
collaboration while leveraging other government structures, including the agricultural
extension system at the Local Government level, ensuring that farmers receive the
necessary technical support to adopt NARO's technologies and innovations.


The initiatives will also take advantage of the funding opportunities from government
programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and the GROW project for Women
economic empowerment to scale up the uptake of these innovations, boosting production
and productivity across the region.


Through the partnership, the people of Tooro are poised to benefit from NARO’s latest
research and innovations, and that Tooro will continue to thrive as both a cultural and
agricultural beacon in Uganda.

If you have a story in your community or Opinion piece that you would like to share, send us an email via [email protected]

MOST POPULAR STORIES

© Copyright 2026, All Rights Reserved