NARO says its ready to cure Uganda's food insecurity headache
As thousands in Karamoja struggle to find food, the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) has committed to produce more food varieties that are fast growing and pest resistant to save the situation in semi-arid areas.
This comes amidst increasing threats of hunger in the countryside due to the prolonged drought situation that has affected many farmers.
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In Karamoja, it is reported that more than 500 people especially children and the elderly have lost lives due to hunger.
While on a tour of some of the worst hit areas, Dr Ambrose Agona the Director General NARO said the organisation is charged with the responsibility to research and produce the appropriate food varieties, that can resist droughts, pests and diseases.
He said NARO is ready to support large-scale food production, including offering part of the vast land under its different regional research institutions to produce enough food for the country.
"Sorghum and millet are very tolerant to drought at least with minimal rainfall you can harvest something unlike those who are planting maize," said Agona.
Dr. Scovia Adikin from NARO noted that creating more varieties and making them available would address hunger problems in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania especially in the Semi-Arid regions of the three countries.
