A s farmers prepare for the forthcoming planting season, they have been cautioned about the increasing presence of counterfeit fertilisers on the market.
According to research findings from soil scientists led by Dr Cranmer Kayuki Kaizi, a senior soil scientist at the National Agriculture Laboratories in Kawanda, UREA and DAP are the most counterfeited fertilisers on the Ugandan market.
While sharing the findings with stakeholders in the fertiliser sector recently at the Golden Tulip Hotel, in Kampala, Kaizi said through a rapid assessment of the quality of fertilisers on the Ugandan market, it was discovered that the two fertilisers are commonly counterfeited due to their high demand.
The towns sampled include Kampala, Lugazi, Mayuge, eastern Uganda, mid north Uganda, and some parts of western Uganda, including areas that grow tea.
He explained that samples were collected from trading centres and shops in municipalities in central, northern and some parts of eastern Uganda.
“From the 24 samples collected and analysed at the soils laboratory in Kawanda, it was discovered that the quality of UREA was low and did not meet the standards, especially in the central region,” he said.
Another finding from the study, which was supported by Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, was that the cost of fertilisers remains high, which has also affected fertiliser consumption.
How are fertilisers counterfeited?
Ivan Ssekanjako, an agronomist with YARA Fertiliser Company in greater Masaka region, said other fertilisers commonly counterfeited include Yaramila Java for coffee and Yara’s mid-crop planting fertilisers.
Folia 25.5.5 for tea is another fertiliser frequently counterfeited.
Ssekanjako said fertilisers can be counterfeited in several ways.
One method involves purchasing cheaper and lower-quality fertilisers and re-packaging them in the bags of genuine fertilisers.
While some sellers offer these at the same market price, others sell such mixtures at lower prices. Ssekanjako also said some fertilisers are counterfeited by printing packaging materials similar to the actual packaging of genuine products.
The aim is to mix various substances in these bags to make them appear authentic.
Another method involves people claiming to sell fertiliser blends without having the proper formulations. Instead, they simply estimate the ratios and mix different fertilisers together, then sell them as “blends”.
Ssekanjako added that Folia or liquid fertilisers are often counterfeited by diluting the original product and repackaging it in genuine fertiliser bottles or tins, among other methods.
What are the options?
According to Kaizi, those looking to purchase fertilisers should consider buying them from genuine and accredited factory outlets and agents.
Another option is to go for blended or crop-specific fertilisers currently available on the market, which can help boost soil fertility.
Promoters of fertiliser blends claim these products supply crops with the specific nutrients they need, which saves farmers the cost of purchasing excess fertilisers.
Why should farmers seek fertilisers?
According to Kaizi, Uganda’s soils are facing a major challenge — low fertility. All soils in Uganda lack essential nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, a result of soil erosion, deforestation and other human activities.
The statistics are alarming. Uganda’s soils lose 21kg of nitrogen, 8kg of phosphorus and 43kg of potassium per hectare per year.
Yet, the current fertiliser usage in Uganda is less than 1kg per hectare per year, far below the sub-Saharan Africa average of 8kg per hectare per year. To address this issue, experts recommend integrating mineral and organic fertilisers, practicing minimum tillage and using agro-chemicals judiciously.
At the recently concluded 2025 Harvest Money Expo, farmers had the opportunity to interact with fertiliser manufacturers and traders, learning about different fertiliser options and best practices.
Soil enhancements at the expo
One of the options showcased by companies such as Hima Cement at the expo is agriclime, a product that enhances soil fertility. Agriclime manages and neutralises soil acidity, paving way for restoration of nutrients that can be easily absorbed.
Additional information from the Food and Agriculture Organisation indicates that with the application of agriclime, plants can more easily absorb nitrogen, which is essential for plant growth when the pH is balanced.
Lime application also acts as a preventative treatment for soil infertility by supplying calcium and magnesium to deficient soils.
According to soil scientists from NARO, soils with high pH or acidity levels are often referred to by the local community as Lunnyo.
These soils are typically found in districts around the Lake Victoria basin, including Mpigi, Wakiso, Mukono, Jinja, Mayuge, Bugiri, Kalangala, Rakai and Masaka.
Options at the expo
Companies such as Grain Pulse, Yara, ETG, Hima Cement, Tororo Cement and Fertiplus showcased their products, including crop-specific fertilisers, blended fertilisers and organic options.
Dr Hillary Rugema, the head of agronomy at Grain Pulse, said blended fertilisers can save farmers money and improve yields.
Examples of blended fertilisers available on the market include:
- Coffee NPK 16:2:31 – for coffee trees (three years and older)
- Coffee NPK 19:11:22 – for coffee nurseries, coffee planting and the first two years after planting
- Maize NPK 20:20:18 l Beans/Soybeans NPK 11:29:23
- Banana NPK 19:8:28 l Sorghum, Barley, Rice, and Finger Millet NPK 23:17:12 (+3+2+1)
- Tomato NPK 24:16:14 (+12S) l Cassava & Sweet Potato – NPK 14:10:28 (+25) l Irish Potato – NPK 10:7:34 (+31)
- Sunflower – NPK 24:17:10 (+3+2+1) Rugema, however, emphasised that the proper use of fertilisers is essential to protect the soil from harsh agro-chemicals.
Farmers should test their soils, understand their needs and consult experts before applying fertilisers. By adopting best practices and using the right fertilisers, farmers can improve yields, maintain soil fertility and promote environmental sustainability. In addition to blended fertilisers, organic fertilisers were also showcased at the 2025 Harvest Money Expo, which took place from February 14-16.
The event was organised by Vision Group and supported by the Netherlands Embassy, ABI Development, the agriculture ministry, Engineering Solutions and Tunga Nutrition, among others.
From the Danish village, Transform Rootzone is a biofertiliser produced from biodegradable wastes in Uganda, supported by the Embassy of Denmark and supervised by Prof. Kitungulu Zaake, a soil scientist formerly at Makerere University.
According to James Mawa, the managing director of Transform Rootzone and Biofertiliser Africa, the biofertiliser is produced by composting biodegradable materials for one week.
During the process, the materials are subjected to heat ranging from 700 C to 800 C for three days. The ready material is then blended with natural NPK values from plants, resulting in a complete organic fertiliser.
According to the agriculture minister, Frank Tumwebaze, good soil health is not only crucial, but also requires replenishment to make the soil more productive.
He said proper use of fertilisers is vital for maintaining soil fertility and minimising environmental degradation.
How farmers can avoid counterfeits
To avoid purchasing adulterated products, Ivan Ssekanjako, an agronomist with YARA Fertiliser Company, advises farmers to stick to known distributors and agro-dealers.
Farmers should also focus on buying sealed bottles for liquid fertilisers, and for granular ones, they should stick to standard measurements, which include 10kg, 25kg and 50kg bags that must be sealed.
Farmers should also be cautious of cheaper options, as these are often a trap through which counterfeit products are introduced to the market.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: SR Kuku exhibited at the Harvest Money Expo organic fertiliser made from chicken droppings. Farmers have been cautioned against cheap fertiliser as they are susceptible to counterfei
