WAKISO, Uganda — The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and Trade for Jobs Uganda have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the adoption of dairy innovations, expand market opportunities and create more jobs across Uganda’s dairy value chain.

The agreement, signed on November 2, 2026, at NARO’s National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI) in Nakyesasa, Wakiso District, seeks to bridge the gap between agricultural research and commercialisation by ensuring that technologies reach farmers and businesses.

The partnership comes as Uganda’s dairy industry continues to expand, with national milk production increasing from 2.7 billion litres in 2020 to 5.4 billion litres in 2024.

The value of milk and milk product exports also rose from $264.5 million in 2023 to $285.4 million in 2024, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.

Despite the sector’s growth, the two organisations say wider access to agricultural technologies and their commercial viability remain critical to improving productivity, competitiveness and incomes.

NARO Director General Dr Yona Baguma said the partnership would help translate the country’s investment in agricultural research into practical solutions for farmers and businesses.

“Uganda has invested significantly in agricultural research and technology development. The opportunity now is to ensure that technologies generated through research reach farmers, businesses and other actors who can use them to improve productivity and incomes,” Baguma said.

He noted that NARO had developed several technologies with the potential to transform the dairy and livestock subsectors, including its anti-tick vaccine, which has already been rolled out.

According to Baguma, the vaccine is expected to generate additional employment opportunities along the livestock value chain.

Under the MoU, the two organisations will collaborate on the development, transfer, adoption and commercialisation of dairy-related technologies and innovations.

The partnership will strengthen links between research institutions and market players, including dairy processors, cooperatives, milk collection centres and agro-dealers.

It will also focus on developing and scaling commercially viable models through which private-sector actors can facilitate technology adoption.

NARO will provide technical expertise, identify technologies with potential for wider adoption and support access to research information and commercialisation strategies.

Trade for Jobs Uganda will provide technical assistance in designing, testing and scaling interventions to promote technology transfer and adoption.

The project’s Chief Technical Advisor, Fernando Martinez Cure, said the partnership would combine NARO’s agricultural research expertise with the project’s focus on decent work, market systems and inclusive economic growth.

He said the collaboration would help ensure that innovations move beyond laboratories and research stations into productive enterprises, stronger markets and improved livelihoods.

Trade for Jobs Uganda is a joint initiative of the International Labour Organization and the International Trade Centre that seeks to address market constraints and promote decent job creation through trade.

The project focuses on Uganda’s dairy and tourism sectors, with particular attention to expanding opportunities for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, women, young people and people living in poverty.

The partnership will include periodic review meetings to assess implementation progress, address challenges and identify opportunities to strengthen cooperation.

The organisations expect the collaboration to contribute to increased agricultural productivity, value addition, agro-industrialisation and employment across Uganda’s dairy value chain.