Uganda’s National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) has officially released 13 improved potato varieties to nine private seed companies, marking a significant step toward boosting farmer access to quality seed and reducing dependence on imports. The handover ceremony took place at NARO’s Aquatic Research and Development Centre in Kajjansi, representing a milestone as the first instance where a vegetatively propagated crop has been entrusted to private sector seed producers.
This move is part of NARO’s broader commercialisation strategy aimed at creating a sustainable system for certified seed multiplication. Among the newly released varieties are NAROPOT 7 through 10, specially bred for industrial purposes, promising yields exceeding 25 tons per hectare. Other notable varieties transferred include Uganda 11 (Rutuku), Victoria, KACHPOT 1, and the well-recognized NAROPOT 1 to 6 range, with NAROPOT 4 (Rwangume) standing out as a farmer favourite.
The licensing agreements were signed with a diverse group of seed companies: FICA Seeds, Kabale Irish Potato Agri-business Limited (KIPAL), Okeba Uganda Limited, Parlex Enterprise Uganda Limited, Tabid Farm Seeds Africa Limited, Ujamma Seed Company Limited, CADCA Seeds Limited, Sterling Seeds Limited, and Syova Seeds (U) Limited.
Dr. Sadik Kassim, NARO’s Deputy Director General for Technology Promotion, highlighted that this initiative started in 2017 with the creation of an Intellectual Property and Commercialisation Unit within NARO. The organization has steadily expanded its partnerships, signing on 10 companies in 2021 and increasing to 26 companies last year across various NARO-developed technologies. The seed licensing agreements are intended not only to improve farmer access but also to generate funds that will support continued agricultural research.
Echoing the vital role of seed quality in agriculture, NARO Director General Dr. Yona Baguma stressed that productive farming begins with good seed. He also urged seed companies to extend their support beyond seed supply by training farmers in improved agronomic practices. Meanwhile, NARO will maintain diagnostic services to ensure the health and purity of the seeds distributed.
This collaboration between NARO and private seed firms sets a foundation for enhanced potato production in Uganda through access to reliable, high-yielding seed varieties coupled with essential farmer training and ongoing quality assurance.