About Us

At Abi - ZARDI, we are dedicated to contributing to improving livelihoods of farming communities of WestNile Agro-ecological Zone. 

Our Mission:

• To contribute to improving the welfare of west Nile and conserving the natural resources base by the productivity and utilization of crop, livestock, fisheries and forestry resources through the enhancement of scientific knowledge and generation, adaptation and dissemination of improved technology methods and policy device.

Our Vision:

• A center of excellence spear heading generation and dissemination of improved appropriate and demand driven technologies in collaboration with partners and clients for sustainable development.

Our Mandate:

• To conduct and manage applied and adaptive agricultural research development and disseminate improved agricultural technologies relative to west Nile agro ecological zone

Our Location:

• ABI-ZARDl is located 8km from Arua city along Arua-Rhino camp road about 508km North West of Kampala capital city and it's located in Oboopi cell, Manibe Ward, Ayivu east constituency. ABI occupies a total of 208 acres of land. This research institute, as mandated by the government of Uganda under National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) that every region has to be with an agricultural research center, caters majorly for the 13 districts of west Nile including Terego, Arua city, Arua district, koboko, moyo adjumani, yumbe, obongi, pakwach, zombo, maracha, madi-okolo and Nebbi which all fall under Westville Agro Ecological Zone WNAEZ

Our Historical Background:

• ABI Zonal Agricultural Research and development institute (Abi-ZARDl) is one of the sixteen Zonal Agricultural Research and Development institutes under National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) in Uganda and NARO is a semi- autonomous public Agricultural Research Organization established by the act of parliament (National Agricultural act 2005). Abi-ZARDl is headed by Director of Research Dr. Walakira K John and operating under NARO as components of National Agricultural Research Organization.

• Before it became Abi-ZARDl, it was formally called Abi- Farm. In 1922, two (2) German veterans (Mr. Basil Busboy and Mr. George Stub) arrived in West Nile looking for farm land, the elders of Oboopi clan under the leadership of their eldest son Ombanya gathered together and gave them 208 acres of land that was previously a battle field.

• They opened the land and began on farming tobacco and other crops and then built a factory. They also started giving in kind assistance to the neighboring communities and because of all those great things they did, the local people around called them “A’bi” which in Lugbara language means grandfather and this is how the name Abi for the institute arose. 

• By 1952, Variety Trial Centre (VTC) started operating as a business ground in sales. In the year 1945 to 1957, VTC improved their operation where experimentation on tobacco and cotton were carried out by Mr. Anguzu luiji, in the year 1960, there was a plan made by British Ox Farm (BOF) to resurvey Abi and so a British man called Mr. Smith was send by Mr. Anguzu luiji to survey the area, after the survey, they divided the land in to portions. In 1960 after independence, Uganda became self-financial just like her other colonies and started growing cash crop

Our Partners:

• We collaborate with a range of partners to amplify our impact, including governments, NGOs, private sector companies, and community organizations.

• By working together, we can create a more sustainable, productive, and equitable agricultural sector in [Region]. Join us in our mission to empower farmers and communities!