By: Ismael Kasooha
KAMPALA
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has assured scientists that President Yoweri Museveni and the NRM government is committed to supporting their work aimed at developing the country through innovations.
Nabbanja made the remarks while presiding over the opening of the NARO-Makerere conference taking place at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
Scientists receiving the Prime Minister of Uganda Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah (extreme left) at Speke Resort Munyonyo for the NARO-MAK Conference
The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and Makerere University College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (NARO-MAK) organized the 3rd International Scientific Conference dubbed NARO-MAK 2023 that took place at the Speke Resort Hotel, Munyonyo in Kampala, Uganda and ran from 14th March to 16th March, 2023 under the Theme: Innovations for Enhancing Productivity, and Agro-Industrialization.
Nabbanja said that the government will ensure that scientists are supported to do innovations, especially in the government flagship programme of the Parish Development model (PDM).
“I want to assure you that president Yoweri Museveni appreciates the work of Scientists and that is the reason he enhanced your salaries despite the challenges the economy is going through,” said Nabbanja.
Nabbanja said that the president trusts and believes in scientists because the world is moving on science and innovation.
Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah inspecting stalls during the NARO-MAK conference 2023 at Speke Resort Munyonyo
She said that government has put aside over 200 billion shillings for the private sector to thrive during the post Covid-19 pandemic period.
The executive director NARO Dr. Ambrose Agona thanked the Government of Uganda for supporting research and scientists to do their work.
The conference is aimed at providing for presentation of keynote and scientific papers, and success stories.
Additionally, it will accommodate exhibition of technologies, innovations, products and information materials emanating from research and related development programmes.
Emphasis was put on evidence based dialogue on the practical issues on agriculture, with special focus on innovations for agro-industrialization, and to create opportunity for audiences to show case advances in research and innovation that can contribute to development and transformation of the agricultural sector.
This conference therefore seeks to engage stakeholders including government, research and innovation systems and development partners to find options for towards accelerated agro-industrialization on the African continent.
Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah (centre) inspecting stalls during the NARO-MAK conference 2023 at Speke Resort Munyonyo
The Conference Sub-themes included: Challenges and Opportunities in Mechanization and Agro-Industrialization focusing on Modernizing Post-Harvest Management and Food Safety Systems, Intensification of Crop Productivity and Seed Systems and Accelerating Development of the Livestock-Based Industry.
Others are Managing Interactions among Agriculture, Fragile Ecosystems and Changing Environment, Embracing ICT-Based Innovations for Agricultural Transformation and Papers on these cross cutting topics: COVID-19, Youth Proofing and Gender.
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