NARO spearheading efforts for better livelihoods in Acholi and Lango

The Acholi and Lango sub-regions of northern Uganda are recovering from nearly two decades of insurgency during which livelihoods were destroyed; poverty, hunger and poor nutrition prevailed; and development programs halted. Communities are slowly returning to normalcy, engaging in more sustainable and profitable economic activities including agriculture.

In March 2020, the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) joined a cohort of players working to improve the livelihoods of these people through the Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU) Programme. Under the programme, NARO is leading the implementation of the Chase Hunger and Poverty; Diversifying food systems for poverty reduction, food and nutrition security and inclusive development in Northern Uganda Action.

 

Under this programme, NARO is leading a consortium of eight partners to increase production of diversified food crops, enhance market opportunities and improve maternal and child nutrition in Nwoya, Gulu, Kitgum, Pader, Lira, Alebtong, Kole and Oyam districts. Here’s a recap of some of the exciting activities and accomplishments of our first phase!

 

Efforts to support the dairy seed system saw the establishment and operationalization of a dairy bull stud at the National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI). This initiative is a major step towards developing a sustainable farmer distribution network for quality semen and embryos to support the dairy, beef and dual-purpose cattle seed system.

 

The diary bull stud adds to an impressive array of existing facilities set up by NARO. These include a regional diagnostic laboratory, fully fledged animal breeding laboratory, state of the art 300-capacity dairy production unit, 1000-capacity liquid nitrogen plant as a well asa modern semen/embryo quality and sexing control platform fully equipped with mobile semen handling kits. Together, these will address the commercial requirements of cattle farmers in the Lango and Acholi sub-regions and country at large.

 

This establishment was deemed as the missing link in development of the dairy, beef and dual-purpose cattle value chain for the region and country at large—complementing and synergizing this investment and tapping into the existing technical expertise. The state-of-the-art bull stud will aid in semen collection so as to address current reliance on importation. The unit will also go a long way in boosting efforts of breeding programs through pioneering sexed semen technology and providing a complete fertility management service in Uganda.