The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) have agreed to strengthen their long-standing partnership in a move aimed at transforming agriculture, improving climate resilience and using new technologies to benefit farmers in Uganda and beyond.
The commitment was made on Friday, September 11, 2026, when CABI Chief Executive Officer Dr Daniel Elger visited NARO’s top management at the organisation’s headquarters in Entebbe. The meeting provided an opportunity for both organisations to review their existing cooperation and identify new areas where they can work together.
The discussions focused on several important areas, including climate change adaptation, agricultural digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), data governance, pest and disease management and joint mobilisation of resources for agricultural research and innovation.
Dr Elger described NARO as an important partner within the CABI family of member countries, noting that the two organisations have worked together for many years. He said the latest engagement was aimed at addressing some of the major challenges expected to affect agriculture in the coming years.
Climate change was highlighted as one of the biggest threats to agricultural production, particularly among smallholder farmers. Changing weather conditions are affecting the spread, behaviour and timing of pests and diseases, while invasive species are also appearing in areas where they were previously uncommon.
According to Dr Elger, CABI can support efforts to address these challenges through early warning systems, sustainable approaches and nature-based solutions. He stressed that protecting food production requires more than simply controlling pests and diseases, as farmers also need timely information and appropriate technologies to maintain productive and profitable farms.
The two organisations also discussed the growing role of data and artificial intelligence in agricultural research and service delivery. NARO generates and collects valuable research data from different farming environments, and the partnership is expected to explore better ways of managing, protecting and using this information to support research, policymaking and investment decisions.
NARO Director General Dr Yona Baguma welcomed the CABI delegation and said the organisation was ready to deepen its cooperation with the international agricultural research body. He revealed that NARO is working on establishing a team to spearhead its artificial intelligence activities and expressed interest in working with CABI to develop an institutional framework for the responsible use of AI.
Dr Baguma also identified climate change transformation, digitisation of research processes and data sharing as key areas for expanded cooperation. He said digitising NARO’s research processes could help the organisation reach more farmers and deliver agricultural services on a larger scale.
The NARO Director General further said the organisation wants to play a leading role in developing a governance framework for AI in Uganda. He explained that stronger data systems and responsible use of technology could improve evidence-based decision-making and investment in the agricultural sector.
Both organisations also expressed interest in jointly mobilising additional resources to support agricultural research and innovation. The partners believe that stronger cooperation will be important in finding solutions to climate change, food insecurity, emerging pests and diseases and the growing need for reliable agricultural information.
The renewed partnership is expected to support NARO’s wider mandate of developing and sharing agricultural research, technologies and innovations that respond to the needs of farmers, policymakers and other players across the agricultural value chain.
The meeting was attended by NARO Deputy Director General Dr Sadik Kassim, Director of Audit Denis Owor, Director of Finance Julius Tegiike and other senior officials from NARO and CABI.
