The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) has been recognized as the Best Government Institution at the 32nd National Agricultural Show, which recently concluded in Jinja. The award was announced by the Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNFFE) during the closing ceremony of the annual event, which attracted thousands of exhibitors and visitors from Uganda and across the East African region. The recognition highlighted NARO’s strong role in advancing agricultural research and innovation in the country.
According to the evaluation committee, NARO stood out because of its excellence in agricultural research and its ability to develop practical solutions that directly support farmers. The committee chairperson, Mr. Benjamin Isabirye, explained that NARO has continued to lead in innovation development and the dissemination of scientific solutions that are helping to transform Uganda’s agriculture sector. He praised the organization for consistently providing technologies that respond to real farming challenges.
The 32nd National Agricultural Show ran from June 26 to July 5, 2026, and featured a wide range of exhibitions covering the entire agricultural value chain. Both government institutions and private sector players participated, showcasing innovations designed to improve productivity, resilience, and commercialization in agriculture. The event provided a platform for farmers and stakeholders to learn about new technologies and modern farming practices.
NARO presented several innovations that attracted significant attention from visitors. These included the newly developed anti-tick vaccine, value-added banana products, coffee value chain technologies, forestry innovations, and solutions designed for semi-arid farming systems. The organization also showcased climate-smart agriculture practices, improved high-yield crop varieties with better nutrition, pest- and disease-resistant technologies, mechanization tools, and a newly introduced black rice variety known for its health benefits.
The evaluation committee commended all exhibitors for their creativity and commitment to improving Uganda’s agricultural sector. Mr. Isabirye noted that the quality of displays reflected the country’s growing strength in agricultural production, research, mechanization, value addition, and agro-industrial development. He emphasized that such exhibitions play a key role in strengthening knowledge sharing and innovation across the sector.
The closing ceremony was presided over by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Hon. Desire Muhooza, who praised UNFFE for successfully organizing the event. She said the agricultural show supports the government’s vision of moving Uganda from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture by equipping farmers with knowledge, technologies, and market opportunities. She also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening agricultural extension services to ensure farmers receive timely technical support.
The Minister further explained plans to improve communication between farmers and government through better feedback systems, which she said would help in designing more effective agricultural interventions. She also revealed plans to engage stakeholders in establishing regional agricultural exhibition centers to expand the impact of the Jinja Agricultural Show across the country. Additionally, she instructed NARO’s National Coffee Research Institute to urgently address the rising demand for coffee seedlings.
During the event, NARO also launched a new initiative called “Next Wave: Seeds of Wealth,” aimed at supporting resilient and economically strong coffee farming communities in the Busoga and Bukedi regions. The initiative focuses on research, innovation, and improving access to quality planting materials to help farmers increase productivity and income.
Although the main agricultural show has ended, activities at the Jinja Show Grounds continue with the Education Show, which runs from July 6 to July 11, 2026. The event aims to inspire young people to embrace agriculture through innovation, agribusiness, and practical learning. This year’s theme, “Youth-Driven Innovation: Growing the Future of the Agricultural Industry,” highlights the importance of youth involvement in transforming the agricultural sector for the future.
