In a move that could significantly turnaround the production of (Irish) potatoes in Uganda, the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) has handed over 13 potato varieties to nine private seed companies for multiplication and provision to farmers.
The potato varieties include; the recently released NAROPOT 7 to 10, bred specifically for industrial use and capable of yielding over 25 tons per hectare.
These were developed by NARO targeting to substitute the importation of potatoes by big industry players.
Other varieties handed over are; Uganda 11 (also known as Rutuku), Victoria, KACHPOT 1, NAROPOT 1 to 6, among them NAROPOT 4, also known as Rwangume.
The signing ceremony held at NARO’s Aquatic Research and Development Centre in Kajjansi, is part of NARO’s commercialization strategy that seeks to ensure that farmers access quality seed for increased productivity and incomes.
Nine private companies signed licensing agreements with NARO, including FICA Seeds, Kabale Irish Potato Agri-business Limited (KIPAL), Okeba Uganda Limited, Parlex Enterprise Uganda Limited, Tabid Farm Seeds Africa Limited, Ujamma Seed Company Limited, CADCA Seeds Limited, Sterling Seeds Limited, and Syova Seeds (U) Limited.
Speaking at the signing, Dr. Sadik Kassim, NARO’s Deputy Director General in charge of Technology Promotion, said the agreements establish a streamlined system for farmers to access quality seed while also generating revenue to sustain research and innovation.
“This is a journey we commenced in 2017 by establishing an Intellectual Property and Commercialization Unit at the NARO headquarters and later signed up the first 10 companies in 2021. By last year, we had signed up 26 companies in total for different varieties of NARO technologies.” Kassim revealed.
He also noted that potato was the first vegetatively propagated crop NARO was handing over to seed companies.
The NARO Director General, Dr. Yona Baguma underlined the centrality of seed to the agricultural value chain.
“Seed is the beginning of productivity. Without quality seed, there can be no sustainable transformation. This milestone affirms our mission to feed the nation, protect the environment, enhance farmer incomes, and strengthen national security,” he said.
He urged seed companies to provide farmers with proper guidance on agronomic practices to ensure the varieties achieve their yield potential.
“As a country, we have struggled with the availability of potato seeds. I want to acknowledge that this signing is a huge milestone and presents big hope to the people of Uganda,” He said.
He pledged that NARO would continue supporting the seed companies with a diagnostic system to ensure that the seeds’ integrity is maintained for maximum yields for the farmers.
He noted that with potato now grown beyond the highlands, there is need to establish a network of potato seed hubs across the country to reach more farmers.
Representing NARO’s Kachwekano Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Dr. Abbey Byarugaba hailed the initiative as “the greatest collaboration” between NARO and the private sector for farmers’ benefit. He highlighted that the new varieties mature in just 90 days, making them attractive for both smallholder and commercial farmers.
Private sector players welcomed the partnership. Mr. Narsis Tushabe, Managing Director of FICA Seeds, said access to quality seed remained a major bottleneck for potato production, forcing Uganda to import from neighboring countries.
“With this partnership, we look forward to empowering farmers with quality seed and reducing imports,” he said.
The chairperson, NARO Intellectual Property and Management Committee, Dr. Winnie Nkalubo, said it was a celebration of science meeting the societal needs.
“After many years of work, we finally have a product to present to the farmers,” she said.
The new potato varieties will be officially launched during the World Food Day celebrations at NARO’s Rwebitaba Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute in Fort Portal on October 16, 2025.
