Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries appoints a new Governing Council for the National Agricultural Research Organization
The Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, has appointed a new Governing Council for the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO).
The 15 member Council will oversee NARO’s policy and research operations for the next three years as It will be chaired by Dr. William Olaho Mukani, who is serving his second term, with Dr. Yona Baguma, NARO’s Director General, acting as the Council’s secretary.
Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture’s Permanent Secretary, Maj. Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama, and the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Ramathan Ggoobi, will also be members of the Governing Council.
NARO has expressed concerns about being understaffed, reporting over 400 vacant positions nationwide, along with issues regarding inadequate wages.
Dr. Yona Baguma has noted that the lack of a research trust fund has further impeded their operations and limited research activities.
Minister Frank Tumwebaze urged the Council to innovate and promote agricultural practices supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI). He stated that AI has the potential to enable farmers to practice precision agriculture, including accurately predicting expected yields.
He emphasized that farmers should no longer rely on guesswork in agriculture, especially with the advancements brought by AI.
