Farmers in lango Sub-region Take Matters into Their Own Hands: Producing Organic Fertilizers Amid Supply Chain Challenges. Agrisol Africa Limited and AlphaMundi Foundation Partner to Empower Farmers in the region.
In the wake of COVID-19 and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ugandan farmers have faced unprecedented challenges in securing agricultural inputs, particularly fertilizers. The disruption of supply chains from key global suppliers, including China, India, and the United States, led to scarcity and soaring costs of essential agricultural resources, burdening farmers with financial strain.
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As the world grappled with the impact of the pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war added another layer of difficulty to the crisis. Trade sanctions against Russia by many nations disrupted the supply of fertilizers, fuel, and other critical products. This scarcity caused fertilizer prices to skyrocket by up to 200%, further intensifying the cost of production for Ugandan farmers, according to Walter Okol Agri Business expert.
In response to this dire situation, Agrisol Africa Limited, in collaboration with the AlphaMundi Foundation, has embarked on a mission to empower Ugandan farmers to produce their own organic fertilizers using locally available materials. Some of these materials include grasses, rice dust, sawdust, and molasses. The initiative aims to alleviate the heavy financial burden on farmers while ensuring sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices.
Walter Okol, the CEO of Agrisol Africa Limited, emphasized the benefits of the organic fertilizers, highlighting that they enhance soil moisture retention and can remain effective in the soil for up to three years.
“This innovation can boost crop production by up to 40%. For instance, a farmer who previously harvested 10 bags could potentially yield 14 bags by adopting this approach.” Okol stated,
So far, 1533 farmers have undergone training in producing organic fertilizers, with the program’s reach extending to farmers in Lira, Oyam, and Kole districts, primarily those organized into groups.
Okol believes that widespread adoption of this method will enhance agricultural productivity in the Lango sub-region, helping farmers withstand climate fluctuations due to the improved soil moisture retention.
In light of increasingly unpredictable rainy seasons, Okol advised farmers to consider fast-maturing crop varieties to mitigate climate-related risks.
Agrisol Africa Limited, renowned for its distribution of reliable agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, and fungicides, has been dedicated to providing technical guidance to farmers, ultimately leading to increased yields and enhanced agricultural outcomes.
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The AlphaMundi Foundation, with its focus on promoting gender inclusion and environmental sustainability, aims to strengthen the commercial viability of small and medium-sized enterprises in Africa and Latin America. Their long-term goal is to support sustainable, gender-smart SMEs in improving overall business performance, expanding operations, creating jobs, and delivering high-quality products and services to their respective markets.
