What is NARO; the Vision; the Goal; the Mission; the Objective; the Functions; the Governance of NARO; the Secretariat; and the Public Agricultural Research Institutes.

1. What is NARO

The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) is the apex body for guidance and coordination of all agricultural research activities in the national agricultural research system in Uganda. NARO is a Public Institution established by an act of Parliament, which was enacted on 21^st November 2005 .

NARO is a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal.

NARO comprises of the council as its governing body, committees of the council as its specialised organs, a secretariat for its day-to-day operations with the semi autonomous public agricultural research institutes under its policy guidance..

The Vision, the Mission and the Goal that guide the National Agricultural Research Organisation are derived from the Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture (PMA), 

2. The Vision is:

“A farmer responsive research system that generates and disseminates problem-solving, profitable and environmentally sound technologies, knowledge and information on a sustainable basis”.

3. The Mission is:

“The generation, adoption and dissemination of appropriate and demand-driven technologies, knowledge and information through an effective, efficient, sustainable, decentralised and well co-ordinated agricultural research system”.

4. The Goal is:

“To enhance the contribution of agricultural research to sustainable agricultural productivity, economic growth, food security and poverty eradication through generation and dissemination of appropriate technologies, knowledge and information”.

5. The Objective

The Objective of NARO is for the coordination and oversight of all aspects of agricultural research in Uganda.

5. The Objective

The Objective of NARO is for the coordination and oversight of all aspects of agricultural research in Uganda.

6. The Functions

The functions of the National Agricultural Research Organisation are to:

1. Provide strategic direction for publicly funded agricultural research in Uganda and act as a forum for agricultural researchers in Uganda;
2. Coordinate and oversee, in collaboration with the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology and other lead agencies, the development, consolidation and implementation of agricultural research policy and national research strategies, plans and budgets relating to publicly funded agricultural research;
3.  Set national priorities and harmonize agricultural research activities of the national agricultural research system, constituent institutions and public agricultural research institutes, civil society organisation, private sectors and farmer organizations and promote delivery of quality and efficient agricultural research services;
4. Advise and coordinate formulation of policy and legislative proposals, research standards, codes of ethics, conduct and practice; and guidelines for delivery of agricultural research services;
5.  Provide guidelines, guidance and ensure delivery of quality agricultural research by agricultural research service providers;
6. In collaboration with other relevant agencies, provide policy guidance to local governments on matters relating to agricultural research;
7. Carry out monitoring and evaluation of national agricultural research programmes, projects and activities to ensure adherence to the set work plans, standards and regulations;
8. Mobilize funds for agricultural research and manage the agricultural research trust fund including raising funds for research of national strategic interest;
9. Coordinate and promote cooperation and collaboration between Uganda and other countries, institutions, scientific or professional societies and other agricultural research service providers, with regard to agricultural research, development and technology transfer in the agricultural sector so as to optimally utilise agricultural resources and improve production capacity of such resources;
10. Provide leadership and advocacy for the promotion, protection and development of agricultural research in Uganda;
11. Make grants or provide funds to any institution or person for the advancement of agricultural research and development on both competitive and non-competitive basis; and
12.  Perform such other functions as are conferred on the organisation by this Act or any other law for the purpose of promoting agricultural research and development.

 In carrying out the above functions, NARO is a forum for agricultural researchers in Uganda. NARO is therefore mandated to convene a meeting at least once a year of representatives of agricultural research service providers, farmers, private sector and civil society and other stakeholders for the purpose of discussing issues relevant to agricultural research and setting agricultural research priorities.

Other functions of the NARO

NARO in addition to above functions, performs other such functions such as

1. Advise the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries on research, development and technology transfer in the field of agriculture,Animal Industry and Fisheries;
2. Co-ordinate, collect, collate and analyse data and information on agricultural research and ensure their publication and dissemination, and take inventory of all agricultural research in Uganda;
3. Inspect facilities and any area where agricultural research is being carried out or intended to be carried out in Uganda;
4. Register potential agricultural research service providers in the public and private sectors in Uganda; and
5. Maintain a central register of agricultural research and development in Uganda.

 7. Governance

The National Agricultural Research Organisation comprises of the Council as its governing body, committees of the council as its specialized organs, a secretariat for its day-to-day operations, with the fifteen (15) semi-autonomous public agricultural research institutes under policy guidance of the secretariat. The Research capacity and reputations of the Public Agricultural Research institutes has been built over several decades, Since 1898.

A. In the governance of NARO, the Council is responsible for carrying-out the following

1. Formulate the policies and strategies of the organisation;
2. Ensure that the objects and functions of the organisation are carried out;
3. Manage the property, business, income, funds and other affairs of the organisation;
4. Set targets and approve work plans and budgets for the organisation;
5. Establish with the approval of the Minister the terms and conditions of service and approve rules and procedures for appointment, termination and discipline of staff of the organization’s secretariat and employees of public agricultural research institutes;
6. Appoint and discipline members of staff of the organization’s secretariat;
7. Appoint the directors and research scientists of the public agricultural research institutes, but in exercising this function, the council shall ensure full participation of the management committee of the respective public agricultural research institute in the entire process and the interviewing panel for this purpose shall be constituted in accordance with the fifth schedule; and
8. Perform any other functions relating to the above as the Minister may direct.                

B.    The Secretariat

The National Agricultural Research Organisation has a secretariat, which has the responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the organisation.  The secretariat is headed by the Director General. The Director General is the chief executive of the secretariat and is responsible for the day-to-day operations and administration of the secretariat.

C. Public Agricultural Research institutes

The Public Agricultural Research institutes are semi-autonomous research management Entities under the policy guidance of the National Agricultural Research Organisation for the purpose of providing agricultural research services. Public agricultural research institute are autonomous in their operations relating to the implementation of its programmes, allocation and management of its resources in accordance with its approved annual programmes and budget as approved by the council. The public agricultural research institutes are of two categories

1. National Agricultural Research Institutes, which manage and carry out agricultural research of a strategic nature and of national importance
2. Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institutes, which manage and carry out agricultural research whether applied or adaptive for a specific agro-ecological zone.