Ac-Planta’s Skeepon Receives Product Registration Approval from Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture
Tokyo, Japan – July 2025 – Ac-Planta Inc. (Head Office: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Jong-Myong Kim) is pleased to announce that its flagship product “Skeepon” – acetic acid-based product that enhances the plants’ natural capabilities towards environmental stress, such as drought and high temperatures – has received official product registration in the Republic of Uganda in accordance with local agricultural regulations.
The registration follows a series of field trials conducted since 2024 at testing sites under the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), Uganda’s leading governmental agricultural research institution. These trials, focused on crops such as tomatoes, evaluated the effectiveness of Skeepon in improving drought tolerance and crop performance.
As a result of these evaluations, in late May 2025, we received an official notification from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) of Uganda approving the product registration of Ski-pon.
Following the completion of the formal registration process, we will begin full-scale efforts to establish distribution channels and promote widespread adoption in the region.
Background: Skeepon Field Trials and Registration Process in Uganda
Uganda, a landlocked country in East Africa, relies heavily on agriculture, with 70% of its population engaged in farming. While it is a significant exporter of agricultural products, the country has been facing prolonged dry seasons due to climate change, impacting yields and increasing the demand for drought-resilient technologies.
In November 2022, H.E. Ambassador Tophace Kaahwa of Uganda visited Skeepon pilot sites in Japan and expressed strong interest in its potential as a drought countermeasure. Following this, in January 2023, Ac-Planta signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NARO through the recommendation of the Embassy of Uganda in Japan. Trials involving tomato, maize, and broccoli were conducted in controlled environments using Skeepon.
In 2023, the project was selected for JICA’s “SMEs and SDGs Business Support Program” to demonstrate the commercial viability of biostimulants for drought resistance in Uganda. In May 2024, Ac-Planta submitted its application for product registration, initiating mandatory efficacy trials. In 2025, the project was also selected for funding under Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s “Global South Co-Creation Initiative.”
Parallel to the field trials, Ac-Planta’s team visited Uganda with JICA consultants to meet with senior government officials, including Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, to discuss deployment opportunities for Skeepon in Uganda’s agricultural sector.
Media coverage in Uganda, including TV, newspapers, and online news platforms, has highlighted Skeepon as a promising solution for stable crop production amid climate change. Ac-Planta’s initiatives are also being showcased at the Uganda Pavilion of Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai.
About Skeepon
Skeepon is an agricultural product derived from acetic acid (the main component of vinegar) that enhances plants’ tolerance to drought and high temperatures. By activating plant stress responses, Skeepon contributes to better yield, quality, and water efficiency under challenging environmental conditions.
About Ac-Planta Inc.
Founded by Jong-Myong Kim, former researcher at RIKEN, Ac-Planta is an agri-bio startup that originated from a 2017 Nature Plants publication on the heat- and drought-tolerance-inducing effects of acetic acid on plants. Today, the company conducts field trials in 14 countries, including the United States and Uganda, to explore applications of Skeepon in addressing climate-related agricultural challenges.
In Japan, Ac-Planta collaborates with agricultural cooperatives, public research centers, and private growers. The company has received multiple awards, including the Grand Prize at the AgriTech Grand Prix, Excellence Award from the JA Accelerator Program, and the Nikkei Prize at the Nikkei Super DX Summit.
Company Information
Ac-Planta Inc.
Chidori Bldg. 3F, 2-16-9 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0034, Japan
Founded: February 7, 2018
Business Areas: Development, manufacturing, and sales of agricultural materials for drought, heat, and salinity resistance; water-saving systems for plant factories and farms.
Website: https://ac-planta.com
Media Contact
Public Relations, Ac-Planta Inc.
Email: info@ac-planta.com