NARO Sgns MoU with ILRI to Enhance Livestock Production Sector at Continental Level

The National Agricultural Research Organization(NARO) has signed a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Livestock Research Institute(ILRI) so as to enhance the livestock sector not only in Uganda but also at a continental level. Prior to signing  the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Director General of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) first toured and inspected Livestock facilities including the anti-tick facility, Embryology platform, Aflasafe facility and Dairy zero –waste facility. The Director General National Agricultural Research Institute (NARO) Dr. Yona Baguma believes that the MOU is a true testimony and commitment between the two organizations to continue working together to change the livestock sector at the continental level.  The MOU was signed at NARO- National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NALIRRI) in Namulonge Livestock Research Institute.

In his debrief after touring the Livestock facilities, Dr. Yona Baguma explained that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aims at establishing a leading livestock research hub that offers real time solutions to the many problems facing farmers in the livestock sector.

“It should go on record globally that NARO and the International Livestock Research Institute are committed to establish a hub that would emerge as a leader in livestock research on the continent. We want to position ourselves at that hub that will be able to give real time solutions to the numerous challenges facing farmers in the livestock sector.’

‘The MOU will further efforts in delivering vaccines that will present solutions to the many diseases in the livestock sector notably cattle, sheep, goat and sheep to mention but a few,’ Dr. Baguma said.’

Dr. Baguma added that the Memorandum of understanding (MOU) will also help to tackle issues of climate change by developing solutions to manage damages and vagaries related to catastrophic climate changes.

“As a country we should be proud that we are the second most diverse on the continent in terms of diversity and the fifth most diverse in the whole world. We are cognizant that the International Livestock Research Institute has the technology and tools that will help us better our diversity for the benefit of the Livestock sector. We call upon the whole world to support us in this partnership to make sure that when we come together with willing intention and willing partners to be able to come up with solutions that would turn around the entire livestock for the environment and years ahead.

‘It’s our responsibility to ensure that the MOU emerges into impact that would bring change in the livelihood of the people.’

The Director General of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng, noted that the MOU would help to promote research for development, innovations on top of building tools for transformation of livestock sector in Uganda and at a global level.

“The signed MOU is about division and shared alignment that we have for the future. It’s an MOU that is looking at driving research for development and innovations and building tools for development and transformation of livestock in this country and also globally. So we sign this MOU in a very strong position and we have a long-standing collaboration through which we have been successful in some of the areas, ‘Dr. Appolinaire disclosed.’

‘The MOU also focuses on developing innovations to address issues related to climatic change adaptation and mitigation. Under this MOU , we want to build human resources capacity and institutional capacity to address challenges of human resources ,and meet our strategic objectives.’

Prof. Appolinaire said the International Livestock Research Institute is committed to support the government of Uganda in its efforts to build a livestock vaccine production facility which deals with emerging animal diseases.

“We are here to witness the transformation and investment from the Uganda government to build a vaccine production facility. This is really unique in Africa and an example that we have to talk about so that other countries can follow in order to maximize the potential of the livestock sector,’Prof. Appolinaire said.

It should be noted that the livestock sector in Uganda contributes to 7.5% of Uganda’s GDP and 70% of the households are engaged in some form of livestock production. Livestock provides essential products like meat, milk, eggs, hides and manure contributing to both nutritional needs of the population and the raw materials for agro-based industries.