The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has called for agricultural innovations to move beyond research institutions and reach smallholder farmers, processors and consumers to deliver meaningful benefits across the food system.
FAO Assistant Representative for Programmes Martin Ameu delivered the message on behalf of FAO Country Representative Ezana Kassa during the National World Food Day celebrations held recently at the Mbarara Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MBAZARDI).
The event, held under the theme “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow,” brought together government officials, agricultural researchers and other stakeholders to discuss the role of innovation in improving agricultural productivity and strengthening food security.
Addressing participants, Ameu said decades of scientific research would only deliver meaningful results if innovations were translated into practical solutions that benefit communities at the grassroots.
“Innovation matters when it reaches the people—when it reaches the farmers, processors, and benefits consumers,” Ameu said.
He emphasised that innovations must move from research institutions and demonstration plots into farmers’ fields, where they can improve productivity, increase incomes and enhance livelihoods.
The celebrations also coincided with the marking of 100 years of agricultural research at the Mbarara research institute, highlighting the role of scientific research in advancing agriculture.
Reflecting on the milestone, Ameu said the next phase of agricultural research should prioritise climate resilience, sustainable resource management and food security.
He noted that agricultural innovations should help reduce food losses, improve food safety, preserve nutritional value and promote the efficient use of natural resources.
“The 100 years of innovation should help us reduce food loss, improve food safety, and preserve the nutritional value of food. It should also help us use water efficiently, restore soils and pastures, and anticipate threats before they become crises,” Ameu said.
Ameu highlighted the importance of practical innovations that help farmers make informed decisions, manage risks and respond to emerging challenges.
He cited timely weather information as an important tool for guiding planting decisions, while early animal disease detection systems could enable veterinary teams to intervene promptly and prevent outbreaks from spreading.
He also pointed to access to real-time market information as a way of helping farmers identify suitable markets and determine when to sell their produce.
“Innovation should help farmers to get timely weather information to guide decisions when to plant. Early detection of animal disease can give veterinary teams time to contain an outbreak. Better market information can help producers plan where and when to sell,” Ameu said.
Such interventions, he noted, can strengthen farmers’ capacity to respond to changing weather patterns, protect livestock and improve their participation in agricultural markets.
Ameu reiterated FAO’s commitment to transforming agrifood systems sustainably through its Four Betters framework: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
He said agricultural development should increase production while protecting natural resources and improving people’s well-being.
“FAO’s contribution is guided by the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life—leaving no one behind. This means increasing production while protecting our natural resources,” Ameu said.
The message underscored the need to align agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability, improved nutrition and better livelihoods.