The Buganda Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga, embarked on a tour of four institutes under the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) on Tuesday, expressing his admiration for the wide range of advanced research products on display.
From bioelectricity, liquid soap, hand wash gels, pesticides, and animal feeds, all derived from cow dung, to facial and body scrubs, as well as body creams sourced from coffee, and even human-like hair made from the banana Pseudostem, the tour unveiled a remarkable spectrum of innovations.
Accompanied by a delegation of Ministers and Kingdom officials, the Katikkiro’s visit was part of an official tour of NARO facilities, in line with a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the research body and the Kingdom on 3rd October 2023. The partnership aims to foster collaborative efforts leveraging NARO’s expertise to advance transformative agriculture in the Buganda region.
“If we aim for socio-economic transformation, we must focus on our country’s comparative potential, which lies in agriculture,” remarked the Katikkiro, emphasizing the importance of embracing scientific and research-based approaches to agriculture in today’s era. “With the population explosion and the growing list of needs, we require the expertise of NARO, and upon visiting, you realize we have everything we need,” he added.
The Katikkiro visited the National Coffee Research Institute (NACORI), where he witnessed NARO scientists showcasing innovative products such as coffee powder, yogurt, wines, chocolate, cookies, cakes, as well as various non-dietary prototypes including lip balm, aftershave, facial scrub, and body lotions and creams. These advances are in sync with the slogan “Mwanyi Teriba”.
The visit also marked the launch of the annual Royal Coffee Day, to be celebrated every 30th January, highlighting the traditional institutions’ role in promoting coffee production and fostering technology and value innovation.
At the Mukono Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MUZARDI), the Katikkiro explored adaptive research results aimed at promoting local poultry farming, urban agriculture, vegetable and legume cultivation, fish farming, quality seeds, and proper agricultural management practices.
Impressed by the Zero Waste farm management practices at the National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI), the Katikkiro observed how farm waste was utilized to produce various items, including biogas, bio-briquettes, biomethane, bio-liquid, bio-pesticides, bio-fertilizers, animal feeds, bio-electricity, carbon dioxide, and sulphuric acid. The institute also showcased high-quality cattle breeds recommended for zero grazing, as well as progress in developing an anti-tick vaccine, among other technologies.
At the National Agricultural Research Laboratories (NaRL) in Kawanda, the Katikkiro visited the biotechnology laboratory, witnessing the generation of banana plants through tissue culture. The laboratory also showcased soil analysis for the greater Masaka region. In the industrialization sector, the scientists demonstrated the transformation of banana fibers into quality hair extensions. The institute’s exhibition extended to agro-mechanization, with the display of motorized and manually operated maize shellers, and a motorized forage cutter, among other technologies.
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