By Joseph Mary Buwule
Uganda’s agricultural transformation is increasingly being driven by improved crop varieties developed through scientific research, with the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) strengthening efforts to ensure that farmers can access genuine and quality seed.
NARO says Uganda’s crop improvement journey has evolved from early crop introductions and mass selection to modern, science-based breeding aimed at developing varieties suited to farmers’ production needs.
As part of this effort, NARO has licensed seed companies to multiply and distribute certified improved varieties developed through its research programmes. The latest announcement names Miracle Seeds Ltd and Hummer Uganda Ltd among the companies licensed to support the multiplication and distribution of NARO varieties.
The move is intended to bring improved seed closer to farmers while strengthening quality assurance, traceability and accountability across the seed supply chain.
For farmers, NARO says one of the most important checks when purchasing seed is the NARO Varietal Identification Number (NVIN) printed on the seed package.
The NVIN serves as an identification mark for genuine NARO varieties. NARO’s licensing framework requires certified seed produced by licensed companies to carry the relevant identification on its packaging.
This verification is particularly important because the quality of seed planted can have a major bearing on crop establishment, productivity and the farmer’s eventual returns.
NARO has previously warned farmers and agro-input dealers that seed purchased from companies that are not licensed to commercialize particular NARO varieties is purchased at the buyer’s own risk, as the organisation cannot guarantee its quality or authenticity.
The organisation has been expanding its licensing system as part of efforts to improve access to quality planting materials. NARO reported in 2025 that the licensing initiative had grown from 13 seed companies to 26 companies licensed to commercialize 92 plant varieties.
NARO maintains information on licensed seed companies and varieties on its official website, providing farmers and other stakeholders with a reference point for verifying available varieties.
The development is also part of NARO’s broader strategy of moving agricultural research from laboratories and research stations into practical technologies that can benefit farmers and contribute to more productive and transformative agriculture.
For farmers, the message is simple: do not judge seed only by the name on the packet or the claims of the seller. Check the packaging, verify the variety and look for the NARO Varietal Identification Number where applicable.
With improved seed increasingly central to Uganda’s agricultural transformation, stronger links between researchers, licensed seed producers, agro-input dealers and farmers could help ensure that scientific advances translate into better yields and stronger farm incomes.
The quality of the harvest, after all, begins with the quality of what is planted.