Ngetta ZARDI Hosts Field Day to Showcase Climate-Smart Farming Solutions

Farmers in northern Uganda will soon have direct access to cutting-edge agricultural research and climate-smart solutions during the upcoming Seeds of Gold Farm Clinic at Ngetta ZARDI. This event marks the 14th year of the clinic series, focusing this year on “Climate-smart farming for bumper harvests.”

Ngetta ZARDI, a crucial hub for agricultural research in the region, plays a vital role in adapting and promoting technologies tailored to the specific challenges faced by smallholder farmers, including unpredictable weather, soil degradation, and pest outbreaks. The institute’s work spans across 17 districts, aiming to foster climate-resilient and food-secure communities.

At the clinic, farmers can expect to engage with researchers on a range of topics, including crop protection, soil health, aquaculture, improved seed varieties, and livestock management, with a particular emphasis on dry-season feeding strategies and animal health. The event will also highlight best practices for managing prevalent crop diseases affecting staples like cassava and citrus, as well as integrated pest control methods.

Organised by Nation Media Group Uganda in collaboration with the National Agricultural Research Organisation (Naro) and supported by various financial and agricultural institutions, the clinic aims to inspire a shift towards commercial farming. Dr. Alfred Kumakech, Director of Research at Ngetta ZARDI, stressed the importance of ensuring that “every technology we develop or adapt must respond to the real challenges farmers are facing.”

Similar clinics are planned for Serere, Kabale, Fort Portal, and Masaka, with organizers anticipating over 1,200 farmers at each session. The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical farming application, empowering farmers with the knowledge needed for sustainable and profitable agricultural enterprises.

This event is a collaboration between Nation Media Group Uganda, the National Agricultural Research Organisation (Naro), Bank of Uganda, Capital Markets Authority, KCB Bank, SunCulture, and d.light Uganda. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/farming/farm-clinic-field-day-at-ngetta-zardi-to-showcase-climate-smart-solutions-5510734