Abstract:

Within the broader strategy for poverty eradication as described in the Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP), Government has developed the Plan for the Modernization of Agriculture (PMA) as a framework which provides for the transformation of the predominantly subsistence agriculture into a market-oriented sector of the national economy. The transformation process involves institutional and organizational reforms that will initiate and sustain processes which: a) change the people's view of agriculture from a livelihood-forth-poor perspective to farming as a profitable business; b) facilitates effective delivery of research, advisory and financial services to the rural poor; and c) supports access to the profitable markets for products from ecologically viable agriculture. Agricultural research and technology development is one of the seven priority areas of the PMA. Whereas the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), to a large extent, delivered the expected outputs in line with its 1992 mandate, the poverty focus under the PEAP and PMA necessitated a change in approach to research and technology development to make it more client-oriented, demand-driven and market-responsive. This Research Strategy of the National Agricultural Research Organization is a careful alignment of the research and technology development process of the organization to the principles of the PEAP, the PMA and the National Agricultural Research Policy (2003). It follows closely the principles and approaches of integrated Agricultural Research for Development (IAR4D) similar to the FARA's African Challenge Programme. The Strategy is an integration of bio-physical research into the dynamics of the systems under which consumers of research outputs sustain their livelihoods. It involves understanding the people and the innovative processes that mitigate undesirable environmental and social impacts; it recognizes the need to adopt approaches of trans-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder participation to ensure relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of the research process and it links producers to markets and industry and addresses policy and institutional concerns. It aims at generating knowledge and technologies that are relevant to the needs of the Ugandan farming population and directly addresses the needs of poverty eradication and sustainable economic growth. his new research Strategy is a commitment of the entire NARO community (Board, Management and Staff) to address more effectively on poverty eradication and sustainable economic growth. It was concluded after a long and thorough consultative and participatory process. Consequently, I wish to thank our stakeholders including farmers, farmer organizations, NG0s, CB0s, development partners, various ministries of Government, University staff, consultants and all other individuals who generated ideas and worked with NARO staff to put this Research Strategy and Plan together. It is my hope and belief that this approach to research will, more than ever before, enable NARO and partners contribute greatly to poverty eradication and sustainable economic growth for the well-being of all Ugandans. Finally, I call upon all policy makers and development partners, and the entire development community to support and promote this Strategy and Plan.