NARO Explores Public-Private Partnerships to Boost Revenue and Sustain Agricultural Research

What the report says

The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) is exploring public-private partnerships to help finance its research work and make better use of its infrastructure, according to Watchdog Uganda. The plan was discussed at a top management meeting at Speke Resort Munyonyo on 4 November 2026, where officials reviewed project concept notes and feasibility studies for possible investments.

NARO Director General Dr. Yona Baguma said the organisation wants to turn existing facilities into revenue-generating assets while still supporting agricultural research and innovation. The assets mentioned include processing plants, feed mills, garages and hostel facilities at several NARO institutes and zonal centres across Uganda. He said the goal is to diversify funding as government remains the main source of support and development partner funding declines.

The article says NARO already earns money from some commercial activities, including licensing improved crop varieties to private seed companies, seed hub operations and vaccine-related investments. Dr. Baguma argued that additional financing is needed to sustain research in the long term, even as he acknowledged government’s recent increase in the organisation’s budget.

Officials from the Ministry of Finance’s Public-Private Partnership Unit welcomed the approach, saying public institutions should look for models that bring in private capital, technology and innovation. The broader context is Uganda’s push to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation and convert public research investments into wider economic value for farmers and the economy.