The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and Trade for Jobs Uganda have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen Uganda's dairy sector by accelerating agricultural technology adoption, expanding market opportunities and supporting the creation of more and better jobs.
Signed at NARO's National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI) at Nakyesasa, in
Wakiso district, the agreement seeks to bridge the gap between agricultural research and
commercialisation, ensuring that innovations reach the farmers and businesses that need them
to improve productivity, competitiveness and incomes.
The partnership comes at a time when Ugandas dairy industry is expanding as an important
source of income, trade and employment. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal
Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), national milk production rose from 2.7 billion litres in 2020 to
5.4 billion litres in 2024, while the value of milk and milk product exports increased from $264.5
million in 2023 to $285.4 million in 2024.
Despite this growth, ensuring that agricultural technologies are accessible, commercially viable
and widely adopted remains critical to unlocking the sector's full potential.
“Uganda has invested significantly in agricultural research and technology development. The
opportunity now is to ensure that technologies generated through research reach farmers,
businesses and other actors who can use them to improve productivity and incomes,” said the
NARO Director General, Dr. Yona Baguma.
“We must now move from being catalytic to being truly impactful. Uganda's dairy subsector is
transforming rapidly and presents tremendous opportunities for individuals and enterprises to
secure sustainable livelihoods. This partnership is therefore a testimony to our shared vision of
creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities for Ugandans.” Dr. Baguma added.
He said NARO has developed several technologies that have the potential to transform
Uganda's dairy and livestock subsectors. Among these is the NARO anti-tick vaccine, which is
already rolled out and is expected to generate additional employment opportunities along the
livestock value chain.
Under the MoU, NARO and Trade for Jobs Uganda will collaborate to promote the development,
transfer, adoption and commercialisation of dairy-related agricultural technologies and
innovations. The partnership will strengthen connections between research institutions and key
market actors, including dairy processors, cooperatives, milk collection centres and agro-
dealers.
A central focus will be the design, testing and scaling of commercially viable models that enable
private-sector actors to facilitate technology adoption. The collaboration will also strengthen
data and knowledge systems, support stakeholder engagement and joint learning, and build
NARO's capacity to deliver sustainable, market-oriented technology transfer.
For NARO, the partnership presents an opportunity to translate research into practical solutions
that respond to market needs. The organisation will provide technical expertise, identify
technologies with potential for wider adoption, facilitate access to research and technical
information, and coordinate commercialisation strategies in line with its policy frameworks.
Trade for Jobs Uganda will provide technical assistance to support the design, testing and
scaling of interventions that promote technology transfer and adoption, subject to applicable
rules and the availability of resources. It will also support NARO in strengthening market-
oriented approaches to technology transfer through public and commercial channels.
The partnership builds on findings from Trade for Jobs Ugandas sector selection study, which
identified dairy and tourism as two high-potential sectors for expanding trade and improving
employment outcomes. The project works to address underlying market constraints and create
more and better jobs, particularly for women, young people and people living in poverty.
“This partnership brings together two complementary strengths: NAROs expertise in
agricultural research and technology development and Trade for Jobs Uganda's expertise in
decent work, market systems and inclusive economic growth. Together, we can help ensure
that innovations do not remain in laboratories and research stations, but are translated into
productive enterprises, stronger markets and better livelihoods,” said Fernando Martinez Cure,
Chief Technical Advisor, Trade for Jobs Uganda.
By connecting agricultural research with the needs of farmers, enterprises and markets, the
collaboration aims to establish sustainable pathways for technology adoption, strengthen
private-sector participation and enable more dairy enterprises to benefit from innovation.
The MoU also provides for periodic review meetings to assess implementation progress,
address emerging challenges and identify opportunities to strengthen the collaboration.
Ultimately, the partnership is expected to contribute to Uganda's broader ambitions of
increasing agricultural productivity, promoting value addition, strengthening agro-
industrialisation and expanding employment opportunities across the dairy value chain.
The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) is Uganda’s agency responsible for
coordinating, overseeing and undertaking agricultural research. NARO develops and promotes
technologies and innovations aimed at increasing agricultural productivity, improving
livelihoods and contributing to national economic transformation.
About Trade for Jobs Uganda
Trade for Jobs Uganda is a joint initiative of the International Labour Organization and the
International Trade Centre designed to address market constraints by positioning trade as a
driver of decent job creation and income generation in Uganda’s Dairy and Tourism sectors. By
strengthening the performance of the dairy and tourism sectors, the project aims to unlock
opportunities for MSMEs, expand market access, and create more and better jobs.
