Uganda Farmers Learn Technologies to Boost Coffee, Shea

Farmers across Northern Uganda are swapping guesswork for precision as agricultural researchers share breakthrough technologies that promise bigger harvests and better incomes.

The Northern Uganda Agricultural Show, running through March 30 at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City, has drawn thousands of farmers eager to learn from scientists at the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO). The event brings together farmers, researchers, and agribusiness leaders united around one goal: transforming agriculture in the region.

At the NARO exhibition booth, visitors are getting hands-on training in technologies that matter most to their livelihoods. Scientists are demonstrating improved coffee varieties suited to Northern Uganda's climate, advanced shea nut processing techniques, better pasture systems for livestock, and resilient seed systems that can weather changing conditions.

Frank Mugabi, NARO's Head of Communications, explained the power of research-driven farming. "When farmers adopt research-driven technologies, they move from guesswork to precision, producing more, losing less, and earning better from every acre they cultivate," he said.

Coffee has emerged as a major opportunity for the region. Once grown mainly in Central and Western Uganda, coffee is now becoming a viable commercial crop for Northern farmers thanks to new climate-suitable varieties and improved growing practices.

Shea nut value addition is another highlight, particularly important for women and youth seeking income opportunities. The shea tree grows abundantly across Northern Uganda, and its products have strong global demand for skincare uses. But researchers warn the tree faces threats from indiscriminate cutting.

"Every time you cut down a shea nut tree, you cut down potential income," Mugabi said. Scientists at Ngetta ZARDI in Lira City are working to reduce the time it takes for shea trees to mature and produce nuts, protecting this valuable resource for future generations.

The Ripple Effect

The impact extends far beyond individual farms. When farmers adopt value-addition techniques, they don't just earn more money. They also dramatically reduce post-harvest losses, meaning less food waste and more stable incomes year-round.

The training sessions focus on practical skills farmers can immediately apply: crop establishment, pest and disease control, post-harvest management, and processing techniques that increase product quality and market value. NARO has developed prototype value-added products from various agricultural commodities that farmers can replicate in their own operations.

Multiple NARO institutes are participating, including the National Livestock Resources Research Institute, the National Coffee Resources Research Institute, and the Ngetta and Abi Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institutes. Each brings innovations specifically designed for Northern Uganda's unique farming systems.

Mugabi encouraged farmers to maintain relationships with research institutions beyond the show, emphasizing that ongoing engagement turns one-time learning into lasting transformation. Research provides the launchpad, but farmers must embrace the innovations and turn them into productive enterprises that improve their families' lives.