Government Launches Free Fertiliser Distribution
The government has officially launched the free distribution of fertiliser to farmers in a major intervention aimed at restoring soil fertility, raising agricultural productivity, and improving household incomes.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) flagged off the programme at its headquarters in Entebbe. Under a Presidential Directive, 173,913 bags of fertiliser (each 50 kg) procured from ITRACOM Fertilizers Uganda will be distributed at no cost to targeted farmers, particularly those engaged in strategic high-value crops such as coffee, tea, and cocoa.
Officials described the launch as a practical step rather than a ceremonial event. Permanent Secretary Maj. Gen. David Kasura-Kyomukama emphasised that the fertiliser is a government intervention that must reach intended beneficiaries without fees, charges, or diversion. Bags will be clearly marked “Government of Uganda – Not for Sale,” and a distribution system focused on speed, proximity, and accountability has been put in place.
Uganda’s fertiliser use remains very low—historically around 2–3 kg per hectare and more recently averaging about 10–12.4 kg per hectare—far below the continental average of 22 kg and the Abuja Declaration target of 50 kg per hectare. Officials said this chronic under-application has limited yields and left soils depleted. The free fertiliser is intended to reverse that trend, enable more commercial production, and help farmers participate more fully in the money economy.
Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze linked the programme to the government’s broader push for precision and evidence-based farming. Follow-up monitoring will assess how the fertiliser is used, its impact on crop productivity, and any challenges farmers encounter.
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to support strategic value chains and move more households from subsistence to commercial agriculture. Similar input-support programmes have been rolled out in other African countries in 2026 amid high global fertiliser prices and pressure on food security, but Uganda’s latest distribution specifically targets quality improvements in tea, coffee, and cocoa production.
Farmers and industry representatives have welcomed the move, noting that reliable access to the right nutrients should improve both yields and the quality of produce reaching markets and auctions. The government has pledged transparent allocation and strict safeguards against diversion so that the support reaches the smallholder and commercial producers for whom it is intended.