Uganda Bolsters Agricultural Modernisation With Continued Korean Support

News in Brief: - Uganda's NARO and South Korea's KOPIA are strengthening their partnership to modernise the East African country's agriculture. - KOPIA's continued support will see further investment in technologies and training centers, aiming to improve crop yields and empower local farmers. The Ugandan National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) is set to benefit from continued support from South Korea's Korea Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture (KOPIA). This commitment to empower Ugandan farmers was reaffirmed during a recent meeting between NARO's Director General, Dr. Yona Baguma, and KOPIA Uganda's new Director, Dr. Cho Ilho. Building on a successful five-year collaboration, KOPIA has pledged to further assist Ugandan farmers in transitioning from traditional methods to modern agricultural practices. This collaboration has already yielded significant results, with over UGX 7.5 billion invested in joint projects focused on key crops and livestock, a news report claimed. The specifics of the partnership include improved citrus production and market access for Teso farmers, distribution of high-yielding potato varieties like NAROPOT 1, the introduction of improved breeds for local chickens, and increased aromatic rice production through interventions at the Doho rice scheme. Also, Baguma applauded KOPIA's collaborative approach, noting their focus on addressing Ugandan farmers' specific needs. He recognised South Korea's own agricultural modernisation as a valuable model and highlighted the importance of equipping Ugandan farmers with modern skills. To this end, Dr. Baguma pledged land at a Zonal Agricultural Research Institute for the construction of a new farmer training center.