The statistics indicates that Ugandan farmers use 1 to 1.5 kg per hectare per year against the recommended amount of 200 kg per hectare per year.
However, soil scientists and policy makers are now promoting increased adoption of improved agricultural technologies including inorganic and organic fertilizer application as a strategy to rejuvenate improvement of soil fertility in the country.
The experts in soil science explain why farmers should prefer organic fertilizers to boost the soil nutrients.
According to Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, a former Makerere University Vice
Chancellor, increased crop production in Uganda has made soils tired and less productive over the years.
“Soil is like a bank account, when you withdraw through the crops you plant and you don’t add that account will be depleted, so our soils are depleted therefore me and my friends, our conclusion was to promote organic fertilizers. Why? Because organic fertilizers are soil friendly while other fertilizers will render soils acidic and therefore after some time, even if you apply fertilizers, you will not get the required yields,” he says.
He adds that Fertiplus conditions the soil because it is organic and has the 17 elements that a plant needs for its growth.
This is because the soil which at one moment was rich in nutrients is no longer the case because effects of climate change such as soil nutrient depletion resulting from soil erosion caused by flooding, heat stress from prolonged drought and continuous tilling of the soils have become a challenge.
As such farmers now have the option to choose which organic fertilizer suits best their soils, with the recent being Fertiplus granular organic fertilizer processed from the Netherlands which is now in Ugandan market.
The Fertiplus fertilizer technology from Netherlands has been adopted as a planting fertilizer in the Busoga region, which Mutuma Commercial Agencies has bought for its farmers.
The results obtained show that 95% of the farmers who have used
Fertiplus is suitable for seasonal crops grown in the Busoga region, e.g. cotton, maize, water melon, passion fruits, beans and soya beans among others.
Farmers said that Fertiplus has increased their yield by 65%, compared to other fertilizers that had been formerly used across the Busoga region.
According to the farmers, the organic fertilizers if planted together with the seed, it will not affect the seed in germination.
Secondly, it accelerates growth and reduces on the days of maturity and it helps the soils to retain water; even at scanty rain on places where Fertiplus fertilizers has been applied, the fertility has remained for more than two seasons.
“I used to get 450 kg average yield per acre of land and when I applied Fertiplus and I got 1.300 kgs,” said Jane Nakagwa, a cotton farmer.
Mutebi Ronald, another cotton farmer, says he planted cotton and rain disappeared for approximately two months, but he managed to harvest even though he did not water the crop which would be impossible with other fertilizers.
Types of organic fertilisers
Unlike commercial chemical fertilisers, organic fertilisers for gardens are typically made of single ingredients and can be matched to your garden’s particular nutritional needs.
The types of organic fertilisers can come from plant, animal or mineral sources, depending on nutritional needs your garden requires.
In order to qualify as an organic fertiliser, the materials must naturally occur in nature.
Plant-based fertilisers
Plant-based fertilisers break down quicker than other organics, but they generally offer more in the way of soil conditioning than actual nutrients. These materials, such as alfalfa meal or compost, help to add drainage and moisture retention to poor soils.
Other plant-based fertilisers include: cottonseed meal, molasses, legume cover crops, green manure cover crops, kelp seaweed, and compost.
Animal-based fertilisers
Animal-based fertilisers such as manure, bone meal or blood meal, add lots of nitrogen to the soil.
It’s great for leafy plants and strong growth in the early weeks of gardening. Additional animal-based fertilisers for the garden include: fish emulsion, milk urea (urine) manure tea.
Mineral-based fertilisers
Mineral-based fertilisers can add nutrients to the soil, as well as raising or lowering the pH level when needed for healthy plant growth.
Some of these types of organic fertilisers are: calcium epsom salt (magnesium and sulfur).
