The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and Makerere University, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (MAK-CAES), organised the first joint biennial scientific agricultural dissemination conference.
The conference was held at the Speke Resort Munyonyo Hotel in Kampala, from 21 to 24 November 2016. The theme of the conference was “Agricultural Research and innovations for Social-Economic Transformation”. The aim was to provide a platform to stakeholders in the agricultural sector to share novel agricultural research findings and promote modern technologies
and innovations targeting socio-economic transformation of Uganda and beyond.
A total of 350 papers was presented in oral or poster formats. In addition, six keynote papers from experts and success stories from practicing farmers were given. The conference attracted 17 exhibitors from the agricultural sector and associated areas such as ICT. The exhibitors show-cased a wide range of products, practices and services along the agricultural value chain.
From the synergy generated by the joint dissemination efforts between NARO and Makerere University, the conference comprehensively delivered technology outputs and innovations on various components of the agricultural value chain.
These included agricultural commodities, biotechnology and enterprises such as agricultural engineering, plantation and agro-forestry, soil fertility, plant breeding, pests and diseases, fisheries and aquaculture, livestock, feed production and animal nutrition.
The closing of the conference was galvanized by a communiqué comprising of mainly policy issues that require action by government and relevant development agencies.
We highly appreciate the financial support from the World Bank through the Agricultural Technology,
Advisory and Agribusiness Services (ATAAS) and USAID.
We acknowledge the efforts of the organizing committee that resulted in the realisation of the conference.
