The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Trade for Jobs Uganda to promote the adoption and commercialization of agricultural technologies in Uganda's growing dairy industry. The agreement, signed on November 2, 2026, aims to connect agricultural research with farmers, dairy processors, and businesses to improve milk production, expand markets, and create employment. This partnership seeks to address the gap between agricultural research and the practical application of innovations by farmers and businesses.
Uganda's dairy industry has experienced significant growth, with annual milk production doubling from 2.7 billion liters in 2020 to 5.4 billion liters in 2024. The value of milk and dairy product exports also increased from $264.5 million in 2023 to $285.4 million in 2024. Despite this growth, access to improved technologies and their commercial application remains a challenge for some farmers and businesses operating within the dairy value chain. The partnership aims to improve access to technologies that can increase productivity, reduce production costs, and strengthen the competitiveness of Uganda's dairy products.
NARO Director General Dr. Yona Baguma emphasized that Uganda has invested considerably in agricultural research, but greater attention is needed to ensure that the technologies developed reach their intended users. He cited the NARO anti-tick vaccine as an example of a technology developed to address challenges affecting livestock production. The vaccine, which is already being rolled out, is intended to support livestock health and productivity while creating additional economic opportunities along the livestock value chain.
Under the agreement, NARO will identify technologies suitable for wider adoption, provide technical expertise, and facilitate access to research findings and information. The organization will also coordinate strategies for commercializing innovations in accordance with its existing policies and procedures. Trade for Jobs Uganda will provide technical assistance to develop, test, and expand approaches that enable farmers and private businesses to access and use agricultural technologies.
The collaboration will focus on strengthening links between research institutions and commercial operators to ensure that technologies respond to actual market needs. A major component of the partnership involves developing business models through which private-sector companies can participate in technology distribution and adoption. The two organizations will also strengthen data collection, knowledge sharing, and stakeholder engagement to assess the effectiveness of the interventions.
Fernando Martinez Cure, Chief Technical Advisor at Trade for Jobs Uganda, noted that the agreement brings together agricultural research expertise and experience in employment creation and market development. He added that the collaboration will help translate research findings into practical applications that support businesses and improve livelihoods. The partnership follows a sector assessment by Trade for Jobs Uganda that identified dairy and tourism as industries with considerable potential to expand trade and employment.
The partnership will also support NARO in developing approaches to technology transfer that can continue operating through public institutions and commercial channels. Both organizations will hold periodic review meetings to assess implementation, identify challenges, and consider adjustments to their activities. The project seeks to address barriers affecting business growth and access to markets, with particular attention to women, young people, and people living in poverty.
Key points
- The partnership aims to improve access to technologies that can increase productivity, reduce production costs, and strengthen the competitiveness of Uganda's dairy products.
- The agreement seeks to address the gap between agricultural research and the practical application of innovations by farmers and businesses.
- The collaboration will focus on strengthening links between research institutions and commercial operators to ensure that technologies respond to actual market needs.
