By Dallen Namugga
Experts from the National Agricultural Research Laboratories (NARL) say prioritising market intelligence research is crucial for achieving excellence in agribusiness.
During a scientific review and planning meeting held at NARL in Kawanda, Wakiso district, on July 27, 2024, agricultural specialists identified the lack of comprehensive market intelligence research as a key reason why farmers and industry players often fail to grasp market demands.
The sector continues to face challenges in meeting the diverse needs of the market.
Dr Swidiq Mugerwa, the NARO’s deputy director general for research coordination, shared insights from his international travels, highlighting the disparities in market preferences and how they impact agricultural exports.
“When I was in the US, I started to crave matooke so I moved out to a supermarket to buy some. I noticed their matooke was small and straight and when I prepared it; it wasn’t that tasty. I asked them whether they could give me a tender to supply matooke from Uganda to them, but they refused, saying our matooke is curved and hard to peel,” Mugerwa recounted.
According to Mugerwa, Uganda’s matooke shape isn’t the only reason why external markets do not prefer it.
Mugerwa said the crescent shape of the matooke makes it difficult to pack and ship overseas because it takes up more space which leads to packing less and yet transportation costs are high.
“How could we have known that our banana shapes cause packaging issues and so clients do not prefer them? They prefer the long straight ones because those don’t eat up space. This way, they get to take many at a time,” Mugerwa explained.
He encouraged researchers and scientists to carry out market studies not only to understand demand but also to comprehend such issues on the ground deeply.
“We are making research for farmers and consumers and no one else. Therefore, everything we look into must address the trends and challenges that these players live by,” Mugerwa emphasized.
Lack of genetic data bank
Dr Mugerwa further highlighted how the lack of a data genetic bank in Uganda doesn’t help with the situation.
He said a genetic database is used for storing genetic information. The bank also collects, stores and manages genetic data from various organisms like humans, animals, plants and microorganisms.
“Uganda does not have a national gene data bank because we don’t have more established biotechnology and genetic infrastructures. In Uganda, genetic research is normally conducted through universities, research institutes and collaborations with international organisations,” Mugerwa explained, stating that this challenge directly impacts NARO’s market intelligence capabilities.
Funding
One of the major challenges highlighted for researchers is funding to carry out research.
The coordinator of the food processing business incubation centre at NARL, Kephas Nowakunda, advised researchers to stop waiting on government and funders’ resources to boost their research work.
As a result, he called for self-mobilisation from researchers.
“We need to mobilise and work hard to fund ourselves to add on what the government has done. We need world-class factories and laboratories as it is,” Nowakunda stated.
He called for the Resource Mobilisation Committee to set targets per year and to look at NARL’s impact areas which are, poverty reduction, livelihoods, jobs, environmental health and biodiversity.
NARL held a scientific review and planning meeting which brought together various stakeholders, including scientists, policymakers, and representatives from the agricultural sector.
Key topics discussed during the meeting included advances in crop research, post-harvest technologies, and strategies to enhance food security in Uganda.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Researchers and Scientists of NARO during the scientific review and planning meeting. Photo by Dallen Namugga
