Scientists from the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) have appealed to governments in the east and central Africa to subsidise locally manufactured organic fertilisers to enable farmers access them.
The researchers urged farmers to embrace agroecology as a new farming technology of increasing soil fertility using organic manure to grow safe food for domestic consumption and for export market.
As farmers prepare for the September to November rainy season, the experts expressed concern that farm yields in most areas in the region were on the decline, due to loss of soil fertility.
Organic fertilisers heal soils
They recommended the use of organic fertilisers that have been proven to heal the soil in a shorter time and increase farm yields without applying harmful chemicals.
In so doing, they urge commercial farmers to target the European Union market where demand for organic products is on the rise.
The scientists made the appeal after leading a team of researchers, extension workers, farmers and the private sector on a visit to the Dei Organic International plant in Matugga, Wakiso district, which is involved in the development and production of organic fertilisers, known as Organic New Earth.
The fertilisers are made from a natural blend of chicken manure and green waste, designed to enhance soil health and boost agricultural productivity.
The team also visited Agape Innovations Limited located in Ndejje, which produces organic manure from black soldier flies.
The scientists were last week in Uganda for a five-day training organised by the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa and funded by the European Union, through the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Programme.
Dr Onesmus Ssemalulu, a principal research officer at NARO, said the training that drew participants from 15 African member states, focused on promoting agroecology, sustainable land use for good farming activities and equipping farmers with sustainable and environmentally sound practices.
About agroecology
Agroecology is an integrated approach that simultaneously applies ecological and social concepts and principles to the design and management of food and agricultural systems.
“With agroecology, as one of the concepts, we minimise use of synthetic external chemicals, which means that we have to use natural products either for pest control, disease and soil management,” Ssemalulu said.
He noted that researchers from NARO recently discovered that organic fertilisers produced at Dei would help farmers to improve their soil nutrients and increase farm yields.
“Dei industries requested NARO to explore ways of working with them in the organic fertiliser production and we undertook a laboratory analysis of their product, which we submitted to the agriculture ministry for potential registration,” Ssemalulu noted.
Results showed that the product made from chicken droppings and sawdust was worth promoting, because it has more nutrients compared to other products, he said. According to Ssemaluulu, use of organic materials helps to conserve water in the soil, provide nutrients and improve the soil physical properties.
“Those attributes are good for plant growth, so using this product can improve our soil medium and restore their fertility. They also make the soils healthier. We, therefore, recommend the product for improvement of the quality of the soil and its ability to support crops,” he explained.
The researchers also visited Agape Innovations Limited at Kiyana-Kittanswa in Ndejje town council, Luwero, which makes organic fertilisers from black soldier flies.
Agape Innovations founder and chief executive officer Paul Mugisha said the company collects food waste from schools, markets and restaurants, which they use to make organic fertilisers and animal feeds.
Dr Jimmy Tindamanyire, a senior research officer at NARO, said they were looking at multiple means of addressing challenges of increasing farm production.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: CEO of Dei Organics Jimmy Sherlock (third-right) explaining to some of the scientists how they make organic fertilisers. (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)
