Burundi’s Itracom Group to invest US$180M in Uganda’s organic fertilizer industry

UGANDA – Burundian agro-industrial group Itracom Fertilizers has received approval from the Ugandan government to construct a large-scale organic fertilizer plant in Mpigi District, marking a significant boost to the country’s agricultural input sector.

The project, set on a 54-hectare site in Kampiringisa and an investment cost of US$ 180 million is expected to be completed within 18 months.

Once operational, the facility will produce 250,000 tonnes of organic fertilizer annually, utilizing cattle manure sourced primarily from local Ugandan livestock farmers, combined with complementary minerals.

Jeanluc Bigirimana, Itracom Fertilizers Uganda’s representative, confirmed that the plant would prioritize partnerships with livestock farmers. “The majority of the raw materials will come from Uganda, particularly the cattle manure, which will be collected from livestock farmers,” he said.

This approach not only ensures a sustainable supply chain but also supports local farmers by integrating them into the production process.

Uganda is among the sub-Saharan African nations with the lowest fertilizer application rates, a factor that has constrained farm productivity. According to the FAO, the country used just 2.6 kilograms per hectare of fertilizer in 2022, far below the regional average of 18.2 kg and the 50 kg per hectare target set under the Abuja Declaration on Fertilizers in 2006.

Figures from the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) indicate that fertilizer consumption in Uganda averaged only 77,000 tonnes annually between 2019 and 2023, a fraction of the levels required to sustain high-yielding production of staples such as maize, beans, rice, and coffee.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja hailed the project as a milestone for sustainable agriculture, stating, “This partnership reflects a mutual interest in promoting sustainable agricultural growth, ensuring food security, and creating economic opportunities for Ugandan farmers. Itracom’s fertilizer plant is poised to become a cornerstone of Uganda’s agricultural transformation.”

With the plant’s completion, Uganda could see one of the largest organic fertilizer facilities in East Africa, reducing import dependency and supporting farmers with locally made, environmentally friendly solutions.

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