The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) has launched mobile Apps to ease access to information on agricultural research.
The digital platforms were launched on Saturday morning by NARO’s Deputy Director General, Dr. Imelda N. Kashaija at the Uganda Media Centre.
The platforms launched include: NARO SMS Platform, 3 mobile apps available on Google Play Store (NARO Maize Production, NARO Bean Production and NARO Cassava Production), UARISTS and the Seed Traceability System.
“The US$100,000 investment in these online platforms will go a long way in easing access to agricultural research information by various stakeholders,” NARO Principle Public Relations Officer, Charlotte Kemigyisha said in a statement released on Saturday.
NARO stakeholders without smart phones can access this information via USSD by going to the message option on their phones: Type NAROspacequestion send to 8888.
The messages which will cost Shs 220 each are, according to Ms Kemigyisha, viewed as the best alternative to traveling long distances in order to access vital information and advisory services in agriculture.
The seed traceability system, once integrated with the e-voucher system under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, will ease the authentication of suppliers of agro-inputs. It will help trace and track fake seed and agro input dealers.
A number of farmers and leaders in the country decry fake seedlings and poor quality animals distributed under Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) that aims at transforming subsistence farmers into commercial agriculture.