Bio-liquid fertiliser: A game changer for coffee farmers in West Nile

NEBBI, September 26, 2025 – The five-year Power of Voices project has empowered hundreds of farmers across the West Nile districts of Nebbi, Zombo, and Arua with skills to produce bio-liquid fertiliser, and organic compost manure, a breakthrough for many coffee growers in the region.

Bio-liquid fertiliser is a water-based solution made primarily from nutrient-rich plants, manure, or a combination of both. It supports organic farming by preserving the natural quality of produce while enhancing access to high-value markets due to its environmentally friendly properties.

Launched in 2020 and scheduled to conclude in December 2025, the Power of Voices project is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and supported by Oxfam. It is implemented by a consortium of partners including the Agency for Community Empowerment [AFCE], SEATINI Uganda, ESSAF Uganda, Uganda Agribusiness Alliance [UAA], and the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group [CSBAG].

The project focuses on the coffee and horticulture value chains and supports six micro-stations comprising 1,388 members [ 665 women and 723 men], based in Erussi Sub-county [Nebbi district], Warr, Paidha, and Nyapea Sub-counties [Zombo district], and Logiri Sub-county [Arua district].

Speaking to farmers in Ayida Village, Pakia Parish, Warr Sub-county in Zombo district earlier this week, project officer Muddy Oyikuru highlighted the value of transitioning to organic farming. He stressed that organically grown products command premium prices on both local and international markets.

“We are currently in the process of organic certification for all our micro-stations,” Oyikuru said. “When you look at global market standards, organic products attract higher prices than those produced conventionally. That’s why we’ve begun training and enrolling farmers to meet those standards.”

Sabiti God’s Compassion, a community-based trainer at Pakia Azi Micro-Station in Warr Sub-county, explained that the bio-liquid fertiliser, originally intended for coffee, has been successfully adapted for use in other crops.

“We developed this organic fertiliser primarily to improve coffee yields,” Sabiti explained. “But after seeing its effectiveness, we began applying it to other crops such as onions, cabbages, maize, and beans.”

He confirmed that many farmers are now using the fertiliser across a range of crops, demonstrating its versatility and effectiveness in boosting productivity.

Jovia Akutu, a model farmer from Ayida village, testified to the positive impact the training has had on her coffee farming.

“They began training us when the micro-station was established here,” Akutu said. “We were taught how to prepare, compost, and apply the fertiliser to our coffee plantations, including how to spray the bio-liquid on the coffee trees.”

She also credited the training for teaching farmers how to dig contour trenches to reduce soil erosion and conserve moisture, leading to better yields.

“I’ve seen significant improvement in both the quality and quantity of my harvests,” Akutu added confidently.

Mariam Akiror, Head of Programme Development, Quality and Management at the Uganda Agribusiness Alliance, emphasised the importance of scaling up organic food production to promote healthier communities.

“We need to focus more on cultivating nutritious crops within our communities,” Akiror observed. “These should be readily available in our kitchen gardens to support good health.”

https://thecooperator.news/climate-smart-agricultural-programme-launched-in-west-nile/

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