What you need to know:
- The Minister urged farmers to be intentional in their enterprises if they are to successfully transform their households
Stakeholders and development partners in the agricultural sector have urged the government to ensure that innovations generated from research stations are translated into practical solutions that address the real challenges faced by farming communities.
The call was made on Friday during the joint celebrations to commemorate World Food Day and 100 years of the Mbarara Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MbaZARDI), held in Ruharo, Mbarara City. The event was held under the theme "Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow."
Speaking at the function, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in Uganda, Mr. Ezana Kassa, in a speech delivered on his behalf by his assistant, Mr. Martin Ameu, stressed that scientific breakthroughs are only useful if they directly benefit rural farmers.
“Innovation only matters when it reaches its people; it must move from research stations and demonstration plots into farmer fields. It must be practical, affordable, and supported by skills, finance, and infrastructural markets. Ultimately, innovation must improve farmers’ productivity, incomes, and livelihoods,” Mr. Kassa stated.
He added that as MbaZARDI enters its next century, the focus must firmly shift toward driving measurable impact, ensuring that the knowledge and technologies developed at the institute reach farmers across the country. Mr. Kassa further noted that transforming Uganda’s agrifood system is a shared responsibility, calling on the government to sustain investments in research, extension services, quality inputs, water for production, rural infrastructure, climate information, and reliable data. He also emphasized that the country must look beyond simply increasing food production and focus equally on food safety, nutrition, and accessibility.
Reinforcing the message, Mr. Emmanuel Rutsimba, the Head of the World Food Programme (WFP) in the South West region, stated that scientific research must complete its journey to the end user to make any meaningful difference.
“A drought-tolerant variety released becomes food security only when it reaches a woman’s garden in Kotido or a farmer’s plot in Rwamwanja. Innovations must be inclusive. For example, women represent a significant percentage of the farmers we work with at WFP, yet they farm with the least land, credit, and water. An innovation that does not reach them has not scaled,” Mr. Rutsimba said.
Mr. Rutsimba further urged the government to address lingering structural and policy bottlenecks that prevent farmers from maintaining steady production and accessing reliable markets. He noted that WFP will continue collaborating with the government to respond to crises, build resilient livelihoods against environmental shocks, and strengthen national systems that extend beyond individual projects, adding that it remains challenging for the country to experience seasons of plenty immediately preceded by severe scarcity.
In response, the Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, Mr. Frank Tumwebaze, acknowledged the calls from partners, affirming that agricultural research under his ministry must remain purposeful and oriented toward improving livelihoods.
“Research should not be for satisfying examiners; it must be intentional, consumable, and of livelihood value. That is what we are emphasizing, and I can tell you we are making a breakthrough at our research stations. Today, we are launching a new potato variety—a new purple sweet potato—and it must be accessed by local farmers,” Minister Tumwebaze said.
The Minister urged farmers to be intentional in their enterprises if they are to successfully transform their households. He reassured the public that the government will fulfill its obligation by providing superior breeds, quality seeds, and reliable extension services, while encouraging farmers to align their activities with four core pillars: food security, income security, animal feed production, and environmental protection. Minister Tumwebaze also pledged massive government investment in irrigation infrastructure, observing that relying solely on rain-fed agriculture is no longer sustainable due to the adverse effects of climate change.