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Abstract
This brief highlights the quality concerns of inorganic fertilizers on the Ugandan market. The findings
reported are an excerpt from a study that analysed the quality of inorganic fertilizers on the Ugandan
market1. The analysis was based on 170 samples (in 50 kg bags and small 1-2 kg packs) of the commonly
used fertilizers on the Ugandan market i.e. urea, NPK, DAP and CAN that were purchased and subjected to
rigorous laboratory tests. Procedures followed in the purchasing of fertilizer samples mimicked a farmer
purchasing fertilizers randomly from any input dealer countrywide. Analytical results from the fertilizer
samples revealed low quality fertilizers with moisture content above acceptable limits of 0.5-1.5 percent;
and untruthfulness in both weight and nutrient content. In some instances, the nutrient content quoted
on the labels did not match with the analytical content. This has serious consequences because fertilizer
recommendations are based on the nutrient content. If the nutrients are not of the right quality, then
the end-user (a farmer) will not attain the intended crop response to fertilizer application. The study
findings reveal that re-packaging fertiliser into smaller quantities is justifiable to meet the requirements
of smallholder farmers, but leads to loss of nutrients (especially nitrogen); and also aggravates the high
moisture content problem. Results reveal gaps in the current regulatory system; therefore there is an
urgent need for government to approve and operationalize the fertilizer policy, regulations and strategy.