THE 3RD NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION AND MAKERERE UNIVERSITY (NARO-MAK) JOINT SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE

Abstract

THEME INNOVATION FOR ENHANCING PRODUCTIVITY AND AGRO-INDUSTRIALIZATION

FOREWORD Researchers across the globe are focusing on science, technology and innovation (STI), as a key driver for national and regional economic growth. It is widely acknowledged that STI plays a vital role in achievement of sustainable development goals, as they among others, can enhance productivity and induce transformation of the economy. This cuts across all sectors including agriculture, the backbone of most countries especially in Africa. It is critical that scientific findings, knowledge, and discoveries should be communicated to a range of stakeholders in order to facilitate uptake and application for impact. Information and knowledge dissemination, however, has largely been a weak link in the agricultural research and development chain. Against this background, the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and Makerere University (Mak) initiated biennial scientific conferences, dubbed the “NARO-MAK Joint Scientific Conference”, to facilitate scientific knowledge dissemination to wider audiences nationally and globally. It is also worthy to note that the Biennial NARO-MAK Joint Scientific Conferences conducted since 2016 have contributed to encouraging young scientists conduct impactful research, and strengthening their capacity to share the research results with targeted beneficiaries along the agriculture value chain, for transformation of the agricultural sector. Products of these conferences include recommendations that point out technical and policy interventions needed for enhancing socio-economic transformation and services to communities. This 3rd biennial conference held on 14 – 16 March 2023 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala, focused on “Innovations for Enhancing Productivity and Agro-industrialization”. The conference report presents highlights of the three-days’ conference undertakings and outputs. The published report provides information useful to various stakeholders including scientific community, policy makers, commercial players such as farmers and industry. We envisage that when the relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) pick out recommendations relevant to their mandates and act upon them, agricultural productivity, agro-industrialisation, agricultural transformation and socio-economic growth will be enhanced in Uganda and beyond. We are grateful to the organising committee and the sponsors of the conference for their timely and valuable contribution. We thank the participants for the finances and time put into making the conference successful. The persons who compiled this report cannot be forgotten. Finally, we appreciate, in advance, those who are going to read and make use of the report content.

Dr. Ambrose Agona Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe Director General, National Agricultural Research Organisation Vice Chancellor, Makerere University