Abstract:

The Modernization of Agriculture usually referred to as PMA will require a closely woven relationship between partners such as public, civil and private institutions, professional groups, cultures and different levels of leadership. A successful transformation of agricultural sector, therefore, calls for establishment of viable working relationships (linkages) between the partners concerned. Partnership is necessary, because an individual organization lacks the breadth of knowledge, skills, resources and power needed to deal with the complex problems of agricultural transformation. It helps to exploit expertise and skills of the various actors and encourages mobilization and sharing of resources and delegation of duties and roles and avoidance of duplication of efforts. The process requires a common objective with partners who have complementary strengths, broad interests and experiences, but while being flexible given the diversity of partners. Towards a Relationship of Significance, gives an account of the process NARO is taking to strengthen linkages with its key partners. The purpose of this initiative is to contribute individual strengths and resources of stakeholders to ensure availability and use of improved technologies, knowledge and practices to increase farm productivity and household income. Though linkages with other agencies including NGOs, Extension departments, IARCs and private sector are not new to NARO, the Outreach and Partnership Initiative (OPT) provide a comprehensive framework for designing and operationalising partnerships with a range of institutions. The process which led to developing the Towards a Relationship of Significance, included consultations with an array of national NGOs, NAADS and district production offices in selected districts. It also involved a serious examination of NARO's own skills and strategies for sustaining partnerships. This document is divided in five chapters. Chapter 2 presents NARO's linkages and convergence with National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS); Chapter 3 gives an overview of the common ground for NARO and NGOs and highlights of suitable partnership arrangements at zonal and national levels. It is the outcome of numerous one-to-one consultations. Chapter 4 is a presentation of the proceedings of the national workshop that brought together key NGOs and senior managers from NARO. It provided an avenue for arriving at a consensus on areas of partnership and arrangements. Chapter 5 presents a sample of zonal arrangements expected at that level. This was at the Abi Agricultural Research and Development Centre (ARDC), the West Nile region. Chapter 6 is a concluding statement on how NARO proposes to proceed with the wide range of partnership opportunities that have been stimulated recently.