NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION

Their core work

NARO is Uganda's principal public agricultural research body, responsible for applied research that improves food production, nutrition, and farming systems across East Africa. Within H2020 projects, they contribute field-level expertise on smallholder farming, push-pull pest management technology, and sustainable aquaculture in the Lake Victoria basin. Their role is translating European research innovations into practical solutions adapted to sub-Saharan African conditions, bridging the gap between laboratory science and on-the-ground agricultural practice.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

NARO's H2020 involvement began in 2016 with water technology and aquaculture (VicInAqua), focusing on sanitation, membrane bioreactors, and fish pond recirculation systems around Lake Victoria. By 2020, their focus shifted decisively toward food systems and sustainable agriculture — addressing malnutrition, dietary diversity, and scaling proven farming technologies like push-pull. The trajectory shows a clear move from water infrastructure toward food security and agricultural intensification.

NARO is moving toward large-scale agricultural intensification and nutrition research, making them a strong partner for food security projects targeting sub-Saharan Africa.

How they like to work

NARO participates exclusively as a consortium partner, never as coordinator — consistent with their role as a national research body providing local field expertise to European-led projects. With 54 unique partners across 17 countries from just 3 projects, they operate in large, diverse consortia. This suggests they are sought after as the East African field implementation partner, providing on-the-ground access and local knowledge that European institutions cannot replicate.

Despite only 3 projects, NARO has built connections with 54 partners across 17 countries, reflecting their participation in large international consortia. Their network spans Europe and East Africa, positioning them as a gateway for EU researchers needing field presence in Uganda and the Lake Victoria region.

What sets them apart

NARO is one of very few sub-Saharan African public research bodies active in H2020, offering something European partners cannot source internally: direct access to East African farming communities, field trial infrastructure, and local regulatory knowledge. For any consortium targeting food security, agricultural intensification, or nutrition in East Africa, NARO provides the essential local anchor. Their growing funding (from EUR 59K to EUR 467K across projects) signals increasing trust and responsibility within consortia.

Highlights from their portfolio

• UPSCALE
  Their largest grant (EUR 467K) and most ambitious scope — scaling push-pull technology across East Africa through 2026, signaling a long-term commitment to sustainable agricultural intensification.
• FOODLAND
  Addresses the full food system chain from agro-biodiversity to consumer behaviour, with an explicit gender and sustainability dimension — broadening NARO's profile beyond pure agronomy.