NARO begins seed multiplication of new Irish potato varieties in Uganda

The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) has commenced the harvesting and mass multiplication of four new Irish potato varieties: NAROPOT 7, NAROPOT 8, NAROPOT 9, and NAROPOT 10. These varieties were officially launched by the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze, during previous World Food Day celebrations.

Designed to meet the needs of farmers, processors, and the market, the new varieties offer high yield potential, disease resistance, and shorter maturity periods. Specifically, NAROPOT 7 is noted for its early maturity, taking only 90-100 days to harvest, which may allow farmers to produce two crops per year.

NARO is collaborating with a network of individual farmers, cooperatives, and seed companies to ensure adequate quantities of clean seed are distributed across Uganda. Researchers emphasize that these climate-smart technologies are particularly vital for Uganda’s highland regions, such as the Kigezi region, where steep slopes are highly vulnerable to soil erosion.