Frank Tumwebaze releases the fertilizer from a tap stand to see its color and allow its trial tests to begin
Mbarara University of Science and Technology has developed an organic fertilizer to boost agricultural production and productivity.
The Organic Fertilizer, I-Soft Organic Fertilizer was innovated and developed by students of the Faculty of Agriculture and Livelihood in collaboration with the Mbarara Grapes Farmers Association, and Mbarara Agricultural Research Development Institute.
Speaking at the launch on Friday, the Minister of Agriculture Frank Tumwebaze hailed the students and farmers for the innovation. He said that the invention will benefit the farmers whose land is exhausted every season.
He said that a team of scientists from the Ministry of Agriculture, National Agricultural Research Institute and UNBS, and National Council of Science will be dispatched to test the efficacy of the organic fertilizer and carry out trials.
Prof. Celestino Obua, the Vice Chancellor of Mbarara University of Science and Technology said that during the invention of the fertilizer they emphasized collaboration with community farmers for better results.
Lynette Ndyamuhaki, a second-year student of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Livelihoods and farm production who led the invention said they carried out research for two years on the fertilizer and did pilot tests on five farms in five districts of Mbarara, Bushenyi, Kiruhura, Rwampara, and Isingiro.
Jadress Mweisgye Kasoni, a grape farmer in Kasoni said that she applied organic manure while planting trees. She says that she managed to harvest 500 kilograms after using the manure.
According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade Uganda Imported Fertilizers worth US$32.47 Million during the year 2020 down from US dollars 40 Million in 2019.
Fertilizer imports to Uganda have for over years kept increasing from 30% in 2015 to 36 % in 2017 and the main fertilizers imported to Uganda are NPK and Urea.
