Fertiliser firm to start in Uganda

Thursday, 4th August, 2011

The Government is in talks with an investor, Eagle Eye Africa, to manufacture organic fertilisers within the country to increase agricultural production. Most of Uganda’s soils have lost fertility due to volatile climatic changes, over production and poor methods of farming.

Komayombi Bulegeya, the commissioner-in-charge of crop protection in the agriculture ministry, says there are deposits of lime and phosphate in Tororo, vermiculite which improves soil capacity around Mt.Elgon and lime that could be used in the manufacturing process.

“Without the use of fertilisers we cannot continue producing. We must reverse the declining trend by enhancing fertiliser use,” said Bulegeya.

The company will be required to abide by the set guidelines such as Environmental Impact Assessment by NEMA. Also, before putting the product on the market, it will be tested to ensure that it benefits farmers, added Bulegeya.

He was speaking at a workshop on harmonising seed exports across the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa at Speke Resort Munyonyo recently.

The meeting was seeking ways on easing movement of seeds across borders to ensure availability of quality seeds for planting. It also sought to address food security issues by increasing household incomes and exports.

By Prossy Nandudu: The New Vision Newspaper