Uganda’s soils are reported to be slowly depreciating yet farmers across the country do not embrace uptake of fertilizer use in their farming system

The current average rate of fertilizer uptake is estimated to be1.8 to 3 kilograms per acre, making Uganda one of the lowest fertilizer users in Africa.

As such experts working with Africa Fertilizer under the International Fertilizer Development Center are collecting appropriate data about fertilizer usage, market analysis in Sub Saharan Africa which information is relayed back to those implementing fertilizer uptake by farmers in African countries.

The team was recently in Kampala to validate the fertilizer data for countries including Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda

The idea is to know which fertilizer is imported into the country and at what quantity and price, the specific volume used by farmers per annum and availability of fertilizer in a specific country to farmers and its affordability.

Background

Mr Andrew Byamugisha from ministry of agriculture giving the background of fertilizer uptake in the country highlights that the ministry has a department that handles seed, chemicals including fertilizers and pesticides which must be validated by researchers to ensure the right fertilizer is used by farmers for a specific crops.

He noted that there IFDC has been collaborating with the Ministry and Food and Agriculture organisation for uptake of fertilizers by engaging farmers across the country in using the same.

This is because it improves soil fertility leading to improved yields and so it is important to know the statistics for proper planning.

Mr Ndusi Nduva from Africa Fertilizer gave a summary noting that the organisation was formed by African Heads of States in June 2006

The Heads of State and Governments of the African Union endorsed the Abuja Declaration on Fertilizer for the Africa Green Revolution, a continental strategy to reverse the worrying trend of poor productivity of the African soils.

The team ensures there is affordable fertilizer price by monitoring the trade, manufacturing facilities and data collection in a bid to boost the agriculture sector.

The statistics indicate that in 2023, the fertilizer uptake increased with the import of NPK totalling 41,434 metric tons and grand total of NPK, Urea Potash, Amonia totaling 76,146 metric tons

One of the key areas is to work jointly with scientists who advise manufacturers on which specific blends are meant for specific crops. Seeds of Gold interacted with Dr Hilary Rugema Senana working with Grain Pulse who explained about the specific fertilizer blend for a specific crop his team is blending and below are the details.

Fertilizer blends per crop

Grainpulse as an integrated agribusiness company with its fertilizer blending factory located in Mukono is able to blend fertilizer for various crops namely coffee, tobacco, sugarcane, beans, banana, fruit and vegetable among others.

The crop specific blends are precisely formulated through a dry, physical mixing process of Nitrogen, Phosphate and Potassium without altering any of their chemical components. These blends are mixed to cater for the exact nutrition needs of a specific crop.

Maize

The recommended quantity is 10kgs, 25kgs, 50kgs to boost the exact proportion as needed by the maize crop for healthy growth and good yield

The composition is 20% Nitrogen. 20% Phosphorus, 18% Potassium with German fertilizer technology by K+S Kali GmbH

Farmers are expected to dig a hole, apply 5g of fertilizer and cover it with some soil to prevent the fertilizer from scorching the seed. Place the maize seed and cover it with soil.

Young coffee blend

The quantity is 10kgs, 25kgs, 50kgs and this blend is tailored specifically for the needs of your coffee trees of 2 years and below.

It provides good vegetative growth in the young coffee plants, development of a good canopy that supports robust fruit development

The composition is 19% Nitrogen. 11% Phosphorus. 22% Potassium

Following the branches of the tree directly proportional to the ground, dig in circular form around the tree and apply 100 gms of fertilizer per tree.

Mature coffee blend

Quantity: 10kg, 25kg, 50kg

Old coffee blend is recommended for trees that are two years and above. Usually, coffee production starts after two years and that is why the nutrient composition of the old coffee blend slightly differs from the young coffee blend.

Old coffee blend is essential for, Fruit development and resistance to harsh weather conditions.

Composition: 16% Nitrogen. 2% Phosphorus 31% Potassium. And application is same as the young seedling but apply 200gms per hole.

Beans, groundnuts and Soybean blend

Quantity: 10kg, 25kg, 50kg

This blend has the specific nutrients, in the right amounts needed for beans, groundnuts and soybeans balanced nutrition, health and growth and to give high yields, resistance to disease and drought.

Composition: 11% Nitrogen. 29% Phosphorus 23% Potassium and apply 5gm of fertilizer in a hole and cover it with some soil, then place the seed.

Banana, Pineapple and ginger

Quantity: 10kg, 25kg, 50kg

Bananas, ginger and pineapple plants all have the same nutrition needs. They all require Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium in the right amounts for their growth and survival and

Composition: 19% Nitrogen. 8% Phosphorus 28% Potassium and farmers must apply 100grams per plantlet.

Tomatoes, onions, eggplants, cabbages and Lettuce.

Quantity: 10kg, 25kg, 50kg

Tomatoes, onions, eggplants, cabbages and lettuce are heavy feeders of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.

The fertilizer blend helps to provide nutritional balance and helps to protect the plant from effects caused by temperatures.

Composition: 24% Nitrogen, 16%Phosphorus, 14% Potassium+12% and farmer must dig a hole and pour 5gm of fertilizer per hole.

Crop: sorghum, rice, barley and finger millet

Seeds are living things and they need to be well fed, with a fertilizer that has balanced nutrition needs required for their health and proper growth.

It increases volume and quality of crops, enhances resistance to stress and improves dry matter content producing heavier grains.

Composition: 23% Nitrogen, 17% Phosphorus, 12%Potassium +3S+2Mg and each seed requires 5 grams, however, for easy application, make a ridge, apply fertilizer in that estimated amount.

Cassava, sweet potato

Quantity: 10kg, 25kg, 50kg

Its exclusive and well balanced nutrient composition makes it the best fertilizer for both cassava and sweet potatoes. It is responsible for, improved tuber quality

Plant resistance to bad weather.

Composition: 14% Nitrogen, 10%Phosphorus, 28% Potassium+25% and apply 200 grams per hole.

Irish Potato, Onions

The quantity is 10kg, 25kg, 50kg and it is specifically blended to cater for the nutritional needs of irish potatoes and onions to boasts all the nutrients these crops will need in the growth stage

Composition: 10% Nitrogen, 7% Phosphorus, 34 Potassium+31% sulphate and apply 5kg of fertilizer per hole

Sunflower

The quantity is10kgs, 25kg, 50kg and the sunflower NPK blend will enable heavier seed production.

Composition: 24% Nitrogen, 17% Phosphorus, 10% Potassium +3S+2Mg and apply 5gm of fertilizer per hole,

Sulphate of potash for fruits and trees

The quantity is 10kg, 25kg, 50kg and the composition is 50%Potash, 45%Sulfate. It is applied on fruits and trees 5gms per plant at flowering stage and 200gms for tree species per tree.

Tea

The quantity is 10kgs, 25kgs, 50kgs comprising of 30% Nitrogen, 10% potassium, 1.4% Magnesium and 5% Sulphur and it is applied by broadcasting 100-150kg per acre

Sugarcanes

The quantity is 10kgs, 25kgs, 50kgs for good start plants to establish roots and the quantity for top dressing is 10kgs, 25kgs, 50kgs. The composition for dressing is 15% Nitrogen, 9% Phosphorus, 20% Potassium, 3% Magnesium, 9% Sulfur, and 0.3% Boron.

For seedlings is 11% Nitrogen, 28% Phosphorus, 16% Potassium, 2.4% Magnesium.

Tobacco

The blend quantity is10kgs, 25kgs, 50kgs and for starter and dresser a farmer must apply 100kg per acre with a composition of sulphur and Nitrogen

Blends for all crops

Kornkhali blend for all crops

The blend quantity is10kgs, 25kgs, 50kgs and the component is NPK with Magnesium and sulphur nutrients. The application for fruit trees is 5kg per plant at flowering stage and for crops is 200gms

Muriate of Potash

For all crops apply a quantity of 10kgs, 25kgs, and 50kgs. It is essential for reducing moisture loss, thereby improving drought tolerance and stimulating growth of strong stems. It comprises of 60% Potassium

Urea

Urea is a major source of Nitrogen, since it has a very high Nitrogen content promoting green leafy growth.  The blending composition has 46% nitrogen and helps in photosynthesis process.

Helping in the photosynthesis process.

DAP

DAP blending for all crops at the quantity of 10kgs, 25kgs, and 50kgs with a composition of 18%nitrogen and 46% phosphorus

Dolomite

Dolomite does exactly the same purpose as agricultural lime, the advantage of dolomite is that it provides additional magnesium and helps in soil acidity to maintain fertility

Agricultural Lime

Agricultural lime neutralizes and regulates your soil acidity, while replenishing it with nutrients like calcium.

Kieserite Magnesium Sulphate

The quantity for all crops is 10kgs, 25kgs, 50kgs and it is an ideal solution to magnesium deficiencies.

Organic Soil Enhancer

It can be applied for all crops at the quantity of 10kg, 25kg and 50kgs for enhancement of soil physical properties. Farmers must apply 200-1,000 kg per hectare

Rock Phosphate

This applies to all crops at the quantity of 10kg, 25kgsand 50kg and it comprises of 30% Phosphorus. Apply 50kg of fine Rock phosphate per acre depending on the type of rock phosphate

Baron

The blend is all crops at the quantity of 10kg, 25kg, 50kg and it supports flower and fruit formation