Government has launched the distribution of 173,913 bags of fertiliser to farmers across Uganda in a renewed effort to address declining soil fertility and increase agricultural productivity.
The intervention, being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), comes amid concerns that Uganda’s fertiliser use remains far below continental and international targets, limiting farmers’ ability to achieve higher yields and incomes.
The fertiliser, supplied by ITRACOM Fertilizers Uganda, will be distributed to selected farmers and farmer groups engaged in strategic and high-value agricultural enterprises, including coffee, tea and cocoa.
Speaking at the launch at MAAIF headquarters in Entebbe on Monday, Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze said increasing agricultural output would require farmers to move away from applying inputs based on guesswork and instead adopt evidence-based farming practices.
“We are entering a new era of farming where decisions must be guided by evidence. Farmers need to apply the right input, in the right quantity and at the right time if we are to achieve higher productivity and better incomes,” Tumwebaze said.
Tumwebaze urged farmers to embrace soil testing and precision agriculture, arguing that fertiliser should be selected and applied according to the needs of a particular crop and the condition of the soil.
The Government said the intervention is being undertaken under a Presidential Directive aimed at supporting farmers in strategic agricultural value chains while addressing some of the constraints affecting productivity.
MAAIF Permanent Secretary Maj. Gen. David Kasura-Kyomukama said Uganda’s biggest challenge is not only access to agricultural inputs but also the declining fertility of the soils on which millions of farmers depend.
He said Uganda currently uses only about 2–3 kilogrammes of fertiliser per hectare, compared with the continental average of 22 kilogrammes and the Abuja target of 50 kilogrammes per hectare.
“This launch is not merely ceremonial. It is a practical intervention to restore soil fertility, increase productivity and enable our farmers to participate more fully in the money economy,” Kasura-Kyomukama said.
The low application of fertiliser has long been associated with low agricultural productivity, particularly among smallholder farmers who often have limited access to affordable inputs and technical advice.
Kasura-Kyomukama said the Ministry would focus on getting the fertiliser to farmers quickly and as close to their communities as possible, while putting safeguards in place to prevent diversion.
“There will be no fees, no charges and no diversion. These fertilisers are a Government intervention and must reach the farmers for whom they are intended,” he said.
The fertiliser will be distributed free of charge to eligible beneficiaries and will be clearly marked “Government of Uganda – Not for Sale.”
State Minister for Agriculture Desire Muhooza said the first beneficiaries would include farmers and organised farmer groups engaged in coffee, tea, cocoa and other strategic agricultural enterprises.
She said the programme was intended to help farmers improve productivity while strengthening value chains considered important to Uganda’s agricultural transformation.
“This is an important day for our farmers. We are grateful to His Excellency the President for supporting this intervention and ensuring that farmers in strategic agricultural value chains can access these critical inputs,” Muhooza said.
Muhooza also urged beneficiaries to use the fertiliser correctly and work with agricultural extension officers to ensure that the inputs translate into improved yields.
To improve accountability, MAAIF said it has established measures to ensure that the fertiliser reaches the intended beneficiaries and can be properly tracked throughout the distribution process.
The Ministry will use verified beneficiary lists, documentation, secure delivery points and reporting mechanisms at district and parish levels.
MAAIF will also monitor how the fertiliser is used and assess its impact on crop productivity, while documenting challenges faced by farmers.
The monitoring is expected to provide evidence that can be used to improve future Government agricultural input programmes.
ITRACOM Fertilizers Uganda, which supplied the fertiliser, said it would work with the Government to ensure that the consignment reaches the designated districts on time.
Representing the company, Mr Bigirimana said ITRACOM would also support farmers with information on how to properly use the fertiliser rather than limiting its role to supplying the inputs.
“Our commitment is clear: we will ensure that the fertiliser reaches the designated districts as guided by the Ministry, while providing the necessary knowledge and support to enable farmers to achieve optimal results,” Bigirimana said.
He commended the Government for supporting the local fertiliser industry and acknowledged the role of the President, MAAIF, the Ministry of Finance, Operation Wealth Creation and other Government agencies in the programme.
For the Government, the success of the programme will ultimately be measured not by the number of fertiliser bags distributed but by whether farmers record higher yields and incomes.
Kasura-Kyomukama said the intervention should therefore be viewed as part of a wider push to make agriculture more productive and commercially viable.
“When Government invests in agriculture, the ultimate measure of success must be what happens in the farmer’s garden, on the farm and in the household,” Kasura-Kyomukama said.
The programme is expected to bring together MAAIF, local governments, agricultural extension workers, private-sector suppliers and farmers in an effort to improve soil health, raise productivity and strengthen household incomes.
The Ministry said lessons from the current distribution will inform future Government decisions on agricultural input support and efforts to improve Uganda’s food and nutrition security.
