By An Executive Editor

The Minister in charge of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries – Frank Tumwebaze – has tasked the Monday inaugurated Governing Council of the National Agriculture Research Organization – NARO to “carry out deliberate and useful research which must be relevant to the farmers and meet their needs.”

The Minister cited development of simple affordable irrigation technologies which can be utilised by the farmers amidst the growing vagaries of nature.

MAAIF Permanent Secretary, Maj. Gen. David Kasura-Kyomukama, reminded the council that the country has 70% of households engaged in Agriculture with the majority being smallholder farmers who produce less than 25% of GDP and less than 50% of exports.

He, therefore, said that the new council has an opportunity to make a contribution towards transforming the country’s agriculture.

The Council

The Governing Council of NARO comprises Prof. William Olaho (Chair), Kenneth Katungisa, Dr. John Wasige, Jolly Kateeba, Nankunda Olivia, Susan Awino, Akullo Sharon, George Onya, Dr. Sylvester Baguma, Dr. Sam Mugasi, Dr. Martin Mongol, Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi, NARO DG and MAAIF Permanent Secretary.