Abstract

New weather phenomena are raising concerns across the globe. Similarly, changing weather patterns are negatively impacting food security due to their effects on the agricultural sector. These effects include early or late maturity of crops which has poorly affected cultivation, the emergence or spread of pest diseases, and harsh weather conditions, such as flooding or drought, that hinder crop production. Consequently, countries like Uganda are taking drastic action to address these challenges before it is too late.

Climate adaptation is, therefore, a key strategic measure being employed in Uganda to address the current and future impacts of climate change. A key government agency driving innovations in the agricultural sector related to climate adaptation is the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO).

This study focuses on the work of NARO and its efforts in generating various innovations that contribute to climate adaptation. These efforts include establishing partnerships with private agencies, conducting training sessions for farming communities, and more. The study underscores the importance of monitoring intellectual property rights (IPR), particularly in scenarios where NARO’s work is disseminated across the country. It also highlights that these innovations are supported by an Intellectual Property (IP) legal framework, which facilitates their administration and protection. However, the study identifies factors that undermine the effectiveness of the legal framework, emphasising the need to strengthen the IP legislative structure. Strengthening this framework would enable countries like Uganda to better manage the utilisation and enforcement of their IPRs while addressing climate adaptation. The study argues that a robust IP legal framework is a critical enabler for the effective use of innovations in climate adaptation, ultimately leading to improved management of climate change.