• Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Donate
  • Login
Watchdog Uganda
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News
No Result
View All Result
Watchdog Uganda
No Result
View All Result

NARO Hosts APA 2025 Conference in Uganda, Spotlighting Innovation in Potato and Sweetpotato Research

watchdog by watchdog
3 weeks ago
in Agriculture
1 0
ShareTweetSendShare

The Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, has highlighted the importance of potato and sweetpotato in addressing the nutritional needs of people and improving the livelihoods of different communities.

“Potato and sweetpotato are not just food crops; they are strategic assets in achieving climate resilience, nutrition, and rural transformation,” Hon. Tumwebaze remarked.

He was speaking at the opening of the 13th African Potato Association (APA) Conference, underway at Speke Resort Munyonyo from Monday, May 26 to Friday, May 30, 2025.

The conference has drawn over 300 participants from across the continent, including delegates from South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Mozambique, and Uganda, as well as international delegates from the USA, UK, Netherlands, and other countries.

It is running under the theme: “Fostering Climate-Smart Cropping Systems for Sustainable Potato and Sweetpotato Value Chains.”

Hon. Tumwebaze praised the role of the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), with its network of 16 public agricultural research institutions, in driving innovations in seed development, disease resistance, and climate-smart practices. He cited Uganda’s strong research foundation and high production capacity in sweetpotato—now the third most important crop in the country—as evidence of progress.

He also emphasized the importance of enhancing value addition, minimizing postharvest losses, and establishing better market linkages, especially in response to the growing urban demand for processed products such as crisps and chips.

Dr. Yona Baguma, Director General of NARO and President of the African Potato Association, underscored Uganda’s leading role in agricultural research, particularly in the development of climate-resilient, high-yielding varieties.

“Uganda has developed improved potato varieties, including purple-fleshed and beta-carotene-rich types, that are contributing to the fight against Vitamin A deficiency across Africa,” said Dr. Baguma.

“The generations ahead need sustainable sources of nutrition and protein for both humans and animals. To achieve this, we must secure dedicated and consistent funding for agricultural research.”

He observed that the conference is more than a scientific gathering, describing it as a commitment to building a future where African countries are global leaders in sustainable agriculture.

The conference has also featured an exhibition pavilion, where institutions, innovators, and private sector actors are showcasing cutting-edge solutions in seed systems, mechanization, postharvest technologies, climate-smart agriculture, and value addition. These innovations are designed to strengthen food systems, improve rural livelihoods, and catalyze agro-industrial growth across the continent.

Dr. Kassim Sadik, Deputy Director General for Agricultural Technology Promotion at NARO, emphasized the need for greater private sector involvement in agricultural science. Other notable voices, including Joyce Maru, Regional Director at the International Potato Center (CIP), credited the Government of Uganda for its strong support of science-led development and called for deeper integration of research and market-driven solutions.

Organized by NARO in partnership with the African Potato Association (APA), the conference is supported by leading institutions, including the International Potato Center (CIP), KOPIA, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).


Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at editorial@watchdoguganda.com
ShareTweetSendShare

Related Posts

NAGRC Operates 17 farms and ranches situated in all the sub-regions of Uganda
Agriculture

Ugx45 Billion Kasolwe Stock Farm Project Faces Scrutiny: Busoga Residents Demand Inclusion

6th June 2025 at 11:07
The #Musevenomics2025 Conference is underway at Mestil Hotel, Kampala (May 29-30, 2025). The event brings together stakeholders from the government, private sector, and civil society to discuss Uganda's economic transformation.
Agriculture

Musevenomics 2025: Uganda’s Economic Future Takes Center Stage

29th May 2025 at 14:46
Agriculture

The GROW Project: Transforming Lives of Women Entrepreneurs in Uganda

27th May 2025 at 16:28
Next Post
Some of the participants at the International Candlelight Day at the National Records and Archives centre in Kampala on Monday

President Museveni's visionary leadership key in AIDS fight - Butiime

  • Prostitution in Uganda- Courtesy Photo

    10 dangerous hotspots known for prostitutes in Kampala

    1059 shares
    Share 424 Tweet 265
  • Uganda’s Billionaires 2025: Once Again Sudhir Ruparelia Leads a Resilient Pack

    25 shares
    Share 10 Tweet 6
  • Makerere University Don on the spot over fraudulent acquisition of land

    29 shares
    Share 12 Tweet 7
  • Retired civil servant reaps big from coffee farming, credits President Museveni’s visionary leadership 

    14 shares
    Share 6 Tweet 4
  • Pastor Bugingo Seeks Reconciliation with Teddy and Children, Prays for Makula’s Twins

    14 shares
    Share 6 Tweet 4
Facebook Twitter

Contact Information

Watchdog Uganda is a portal for solution journalism, trending news plus cutting edge commentaries in the fields of politics, security, business, tourism, entertainment, technology, agriculture, climate change, environment, public health et al. We also give preference to Ugandan community news and topical discussions. The portal also publishes community news and topical discussions.

Email: editorial@watchdoguganda.com
To Advertise:Click here

Latest News

Whistleblower Urges IGG to Probe ‘Illegal’ Work by Lagan Group’s Irish Employee

13th June 2025 at 18:16

Why was the Express Penalty System suspended?

13th June 2025 at 16:43

Check out

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Minister Muruli Mukasa

LIST: New salary structure for civil servants starting July 2020 out; scientists, lecturers get juicy pay rise

24th May 2020 at 10:45
Pregnant woman

Shock as 17-year old boy impregnates his two sisters during Covid-19 lockdown 

17th June 2020 at 08:17
Sudhir Ruparelia is set to speak at business forum in United Kingdom

Billionaire Sudhir’s wisdom on how to invest in real estate

0

How a boy’s destiny turned from cotton grower to communications guru

0

Whistleblower Urges IGG to Probe ‘Illegal’ Work by Lagan Group’s Irish Employee

13th June 2025 at 18:16

Why was the Express Penalty System suspended?

13th June 2025 at 16:43

© 2025 Watchdog Uganda

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News

© 2025 Watchdog Uganda