The Vice President of Uganda, Major (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, presided over the launch of two new bean varieties and three groundnut varieties during the 2024 World Food Day (WFD) celebrations held on October 16th at the National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI) in Serere District. The event was held under the theme;
Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future,
emphasizing the importance of food security and access to nutritious food for all Ugandans.
In her keynote address, the Vice President underscored the critical role of food in improving the quality of life and building a prosperous, food-secure future. She urged farmers to adopt the newly released bean varieties—NABE 14 CR (a bush variety) and NABE 12C (a climbing variety)—to boost bean production, enhance nutrition, and improve household economic security. The VP also emphasized the need to promote sustainable and affordable food systems, address the challenges posed by climate change, and ensure access to nutritious food for all.
Highlighting the benefits of beans, the Vice President noted that they are highly nutritious, rich in protein, an excellent source of fiber, and affordable, making them an essential part of the diet for many households. She encouraged Ugandans to incorporate beans into their daily meals as they are not only accessible but also versatile for various recipes.
The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, commended the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) for its efforts in developing fast-maturing and high-yielding crop varieties aligned with climate-smart agriculture. He emphasized the pivotal role of agriculture in Uganda’s national development and praised NARO’s commitment to advancing research that supports farmers and enhances food security.
Dr. Yona Baguma, the Director General of NARO, highlighted the organization’s achievements since its inception in 1992, including the development of over 1,000 crop varieties. However, he also pointed out existing challenges such as limited staffing and inadequate infrastructure for research, which need to be addressed to sustain and expand agricultural innovation. The launch of these new crop varieties is expected to contribute significantly to Uganda’s efforts to improve agricultural productivity, adapt to climate change, and ensure food and nutritional security for its citizens.