Ac-Planta Signs Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uganda’s National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) for Collaboration in Research, Technology Transfer, and Human Resource Development
Ac-Planta Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo, CEO: Jong-Myong Kim) has signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO, Headquarters: Entebbe, Uganda). The agreement covers collaboration in agricultural research, technology development, human resource training, and enterprise development.
Through this MoU, the two parties will jointly advance research, promote technology transfer, and foster human resource development in agriculture, thereby strengthening agricultural systems in Africa and enhancing resilience to climate change.
The signing ceremony, held at NARO Headquarters in Entebbe, was attended by H.E. Takuya Sasayama, Ambassador of Japan to Uganda, who expressed strong expectations for closer cooperation between Uganda and Japan in addressing climate change.
Comments from Stakeholders
Dr. Yona Baguma, Director General, NARO
“This MoU marks an important milestone in leveraging plant science to address global challenges of climate change and food security. It aligns closely with our priority of promoting climate-resilient agriculture. I also wish to emphasize that the longstanding friendship between Uganda and Japan has provided a foundation for such partnerships, contributing directly to local communities.”
Jong-Myong Kim, CEO, Ac-Planta Inc.
“Our vision is to help create a sustainable and prosperous world. Through this partnership with NARO, we will continue to transform scientific innovations into practical solutions that can benefit communities in Uganda and beyond.”
Collaboration with Uganda
Agriculture accounts for about 70% of Uganda’s workforce and the country is a major exporter of agricultural produce. However, prolonged dry seasons caused by climate change are reducing crop yields while demand for food in neighboring countries continues to rise.
Ac-Planta has been conducting joint demonstration trials with NARO since January 2023, testing its product “Skeepon” on tomatoes, maize, broccoli, and other crops. These trials were initiated with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in Japan.
The project has since gained significant institutional support. In 2023, it was adopted under JICA’s SDGs Business Supporting Survey for SMEs. In 2025, it was also selected for funding under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s Future-Oriented Co-Creation Program for the Global South. Ac-Planta has also engaged in high-level discussions with Ugandan government officials, including Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, regarding the potential business rollout of Skeepon in the country.
About Skeepon
Skeepon is an agricultural input developed from research on the role of acetic acid—the main component of vinegar—in enhancing plant tolerance to heat and drought stress. By boosting plants’ resilience, it helps maintain crop yields and quality while reducing water consumption.
About Ac-Planta Inc.
Founded in 2018, Ac-Planta Inc. is an agri-bio startup established by Dr. Jong-Myong Kim, who discovered the drought- and heat-tolerance mechanism of acetic acid in plants during his tenure at RIKEN and published the findings in Nature Plants (2017).
Ac-Planta develops and commercializes Skeepon, a science driven product that improves crop resilience to heat and drought. Demonstration projects are underway in 14 countries, including the U.S. and Uganda, as well as with agricultural cooperatives (JA) and experimental stations across Japan.
Awards include:
1st Prize, 6th AgriTech Grand Prix
Excellence Award, 1st JA Accelerator
1st Prize, AgriFood SBIR Pitch 2023
Nikkei Prize, Nikkei “Super DX Summit Impact Pitch”
Company Information
Headquarters: Chidori Bldg. 3F, 2-16-9 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0034, Japan
Established: February 7, 2018
Business: R&D, production, and sales of agricultural inputs for drought, heat, and salinity tolerance; production and sales of materials for agriculture, turf, horticulture, forestry, and greening; water-saving management systems for plant factories and farms.
Website: https://ac-planta.com
For media inquiries, please contact:
Public Relations, Ac-Planta Inc.
Email: info@ac-planta.com
Web: https://ac-planta.com