On October 16, 2026, as Uganda joined the global community to commemorate World Food Day under the national theme “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow,” the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) delivered a historic milestone for public health, climate resilience, and economic empowerment.
At a colorful ceremony hosted by NARO’s Mbarara Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MBaZARDI) which was simultaneously celebrating 100 years of agricultural research excellence, the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) officially launched three high-yielding, purple-fleshed sweetpotato varieties to the general public.
Following their formal evaluation and approval by the National Variety Release Committee at Kawanda in February 2026, the public unveiling in Mbarara marks the official transition of these biofortified crops from experimental research stations directly into the hands of Ugandan farming communities, millers, and commercial food processors.
Presenting the new varieties to the Chief Guest, Dr. Benard Yada, Sweetpotato Breeder and Head of the Root Crops Program at NaCRRI, detailed how this trio of innovations officially designated as NAROSPOT-8P, NAROSPOT-9P, and NAROSPOT-10P serves as a multi-purpose solution tailored to tackle modern health, climate, and economic challenges.
Unlike conventional sweetpotatoes, these new varieties derive their vibrant deep purple color from exceptionally high concentrations of anthocyanins, a powerful natural antioxidant.
Being rich in Vitamins A and C, dietary fiber, and vital micronutrients like Zinc, their compound profile plays an active role in fighting cellular stress, lowering hypertension risks, supporting cardiovascular health, and contributing to long-term cancer prevention.
Beyond household food security, these varieties represent a high value commercial raw material engineered for agro industrialization. Their unique functional properties make them exceptionally well suited for industrial processing into premium purple potato flour, composite bakery products, healthy juices, natural food dyes, and specialty wines. Crucially, because women and youth make up the overwhelming majority of sweetpotato producers and micro-processors across the country, scaling these high-value varieties directly drives economic inclusion and creates sustainable income streams for vulnerable demographics.
“Our ultimate goal goes beyond the laboratory,” noted Dr. Yada. “It is about ensuring seamless access to quality vines and scaling production so that end-users, processors, and households across Uganda can fully enjoy their health and economic benefits.”
Officiating as Chief Guest, the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, commended NARO and applauded the NaCRRI sweetpotato breeding team for their outstanding scientific achievement.
Hon. Tumwebaze described agricultural research as an indispensable value chain that links basic seed genetics directly to commercial consumer goods:
“Research must connect science directly to farmers,” stated Hon. Tumwebaze. “The launch of these purple-fleshed sweetpotatoes adds a powerful, nutrient-dense tool to our national basket. As we face growing food demands and shifting weather patterns, our agricultural practices must adapt through climate-smart innovations. We will continue balancing crop and livestock production while driving targeted investments into strategic research—including potato research in Ibanda, caffeine-free tea development, and expanded irrigation infrastructure.”
Reaffirming NARO’s strategic commitment to farmers, Dr. Sadik Kassim, NARO Deputy Director General in charge of Agricultural Technology Promotion, emphasized that NARO is actively decentralizing research outputs to make high-quality seed readily available at the community level.
Dr. Kassim highlighted NARO’s network of specialized zonal institutes across the country, which focus on priority commodities including sweetpotatoes, oilseeds, tea, dairy, poultry, and value-added agro-products. He extended sincere gratitude to the Government of Uganda and international development partners for their sustained investments in climate-smart agriculture.
The release of these three purple-fleshed varieties marks a milestone in Uganda’s biofortification strategy. Formally approved by the National Variety Release Committee in Kawanda in February 2026, the crops reached the national stage during their public unveiling at MBaZARDI on October 16, 2026. Spearheaded by NaCRRI’s Root Crops Program in close collaboration with Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Insitutes, the breeding pipeline prioritized both nutritional density and environmental robustness.
Nutritionally, the tubers deliver rich levels of anthocyanin antioxidants, essential Zinc, Vitamins A and C, and dietary fiber, combining disease-fighting wellness benefits with high agronomic yields. Physically and biochemically, they offer food manufacturers versatile raw material for composite flour blending, bakery products, natural food colorants, and beverages. By combining climate resilience in the field with high commercial utility, this initiative by NaCRRI directly equips smallholder farmers, women agro-processors, and rural youth with a resilient, market-ready asset.
A Century of Impact at MBaZARDI
The World Food Day celebrations coincided with 100 years of agricultural research at MBaZARDI, marking a century of transformative contributions to Southwestern Uganda’s rural economy. In addition to crop innovations, the institute showcased landmark achievements in livestock genetics and dairy processing including the development of value-added products like probiotic yogurt.
As MBaZARDI enters its second century of service, local leaders and international partners commended NARO’s community-centered approach, calling for deepened public-private partnerships to build resilient food systems for generations to come.