Lira City organic fertiliser maker targets regional market

LIRA – Fidena Agri Uganda, a company based in Lira City, Northern Uganda has developed liquid organic fertiliser to improve vegetable and crop yields and is targeting the East African market.

The fertiliser dubbed ‘Eggo Farm Organic Fertiliser’ is manufactured from crushed egg shells and banana peels which are high in calcium carbonate, a crucial mineral for strengthening plant cell walls, and also raises and neutralizes the PH level of overly acidic soil, and it is environmentally
friendly, according to the company’s founder and managing director, Denis Ogwang.

Assessing the performance of his fertiliser in Agweng Sub-county, Lira district on Saturday, Ogwang said its demand has risen in the country and East African Community [EAC] after farmers who have used it realised it improves vegetable and crop yields.

He said the liquid fertiliser produced organically has been tested and recommended for use by both the Uganda National Bureau of Standards [UNBS] and National Agricultural Research Organisation [NARO].

Ogwang said he faces the challenge of limited capacity which does not allow him to adequately serve the available market as they only produce 1,000 litres monthly.

Ogwang said in Uganda, a litre of the product goes for Shs 38,000, 500mls go for Shs 20,000 and 250mls go for Shs 11,000.

He exports 20 litres monthly and a litre goes for US$11, 500ml costs US$ 6, and 250mls goes for US$ 3.5.

He said the market for his fertiliser also exists in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Burundi he added they are also unable to adequately supply the foreign market due to limited capacity.

‘The product [liquid fertiliser] is selling across the East African Community but my target is to acquire a machine that can produce 40,000 litres monthly and by doing so, we will be able to adequately serve the market nationally and internationally,” he said.

Emmanuel Ogwang, a seed multiplier who uses Eggo Farm Organic Fertiliser said it is good for vegetable and crop growth.  ‘When I picked interest and started using Eggo Farmer Organic Fertiliser, I began seeing my plants growing and producing even when drought hits,” he said.

Organic fertilisers have multiple advantages for growers: improved airy soil structure, healthier soil and more fertile, longer period available for crops than chemical fertilisers, environmentally friendly, and easy to use.

https://thecooperator.news/masindi-women-groups-undergo-training-in-growing-organic-vegetables/

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