Uganda could radically slash its US$34.8 million annual fertiliser import bill following a breakthrough by the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO). Scientists have developed a locally manufactured, solar-powered nitrogen fertiliser that significantly outperforms conventional imported options.
The innovation, known as Nano-Plasma Nitrogen (NPN) fertiliser, recently earned global recognition with its publication in the scientific journal Frontiers in Plant Science.
Unlike conventional fertilisers that rely heavily on fossil fuels and natural gas, NARO’s technology leverages clean energy and recycled materials
In controlled screenhouse experiments led by researcher Stewart Kyebogola, the locally made nano-fertiliser vastly outperformed traditional imported urea
The study was led by Stewart Kyebogola, with researchers from NARO, the University of Nairobi and other institutions contributing to the work.
“Our task now is to move from promising trial results to a fertiliser that farmers can use and afford,” said Dr Mugerwa, adding; “That means testing it on farmers’ fields while assessing production at a larger scale.”
Nitrogen is essential for plant growth, but crops cannot directly use atmospheric nitrogen in its natural form. Conventional fertiliser manufacturing converts nitrogen into compounds that plants can absorb, often through industrial processes that require substantial energy and natural gas.
NARO’s technology uses non-thermal plasma, an energised gas that helps transform nitrogen from the air into a plant-available fertiliser compound.
Solar energy powers the process, while water stabilises the resulting compound. Plant waste is used as a carrier material to regulate the release of nutrients. In the published study, banana peels provided the plant-based material, and the finished fertiliser was formed into pellets for application at planting.
The technology is designed to release nitrogen gradually as crops grow, potentially allowing plants to absorb more of the nutrients supplied.
Conventional fertilisers can lose a substantial proportion of their nutrients through leaching, volatilisation and other processes before crops absorb them. These losses reduce the economic returns farmers receive from their investment and can contribute to environmental pollution.
Dr Nassib Mugwanya, NARO’s Head of Partnerships, said the research could create opportunities for collaboration with private-sector manufacturers.
“This research presents an opportunity for NARO to partner with other industry players involved in fertilizer production to boost the fertilizer sector,” he said.
“Our task now is to move from promising trial results to a fertiliser that farmers can use and afford,” notes Dr. Swidiq Mugerwa, NARO Deputy Director General. “That means testing it on farmers’ fields while assessing production at a larger scale.”
Such partnerships could support commercial production, technology transfer and the development of compound fertilisers combining nitrogen with other essential nutrients, including phosphorus.
A locally manufactured fertiliser that performs reliably, remains affordable and reduces nutrient losses could improve returns on investment, particularly for smallholder farmers who often struggle to access quality agricultural inputs.
Uganda’s dependence on imported agricultural inputs remains a challenge for agricultural productivity, household incomes and national food security.
Developing a viable local source of nitrogen fertiliser could help reduce that dependence while creating opportunities for investment in agricultural technology and manufacturing.
Uganda’s agricultural sector faces severe bottlenecks due to depleted soils, high input costs, and a dangerous reliance on foreign supply chains.
Uganda imports 34,779 tonnes of nitrogen fertiliser every year, draining US$34.8 million in foreign exchange.
Current usage falls far short of the African Union’s Abuja Declaration target of 50kg of fertiliser per hectare. Importing to fill this gap is financially unsustainable.
NPN aligns with the 2024 Nairobi Declaration by utilizing local raw materials to build domestic fertiliser security
