Construction of the Bugesera fertiliser plant in Rwanda is set to be complete by next year. The development follows a joint venture partnership reached between Rwanda Fertiliser Company Ltd (RFC) and OCP Africa (OCP), a subsidiary of the Moroccan public-private company OCP Group, one of the leading phosphates producers in Africa.
The country has laid plans to set up the bulk blending fertiliser and storage plant in Bugesera Industrial Park to among others produce, market and distribute fertilisers. The move is expected to switch from generic to tailor-made fertilisers as part of the efforts to reduce the cost of fertilisers, as well as boosting agricultural output and farmers’ income.
Fertilizer uptake is still ‘very’ low in Rwanda considering the needed quantity per hectare to increase productivity. The government seeks to increase fertilisers use to 75 Kilogrammes per hectare up from the current 46 kilogrammes.
Demand for fertilizers
According to Charles Bucagu, Deputy Director General of Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), setting up a local fertiliser plant is strategic. He noted that, the initiative will have significant contributions in meeting the country’s continuous growing demand for fertilizers, (primarily urea and NPS+).
“It is also going to solve the issue of accessibility. In most cases our farmers delay starting the season because they lack fertilisers. Rwanda has made significant improvements in agriculture production mainly because of the hybrid seed and also fertiliser application. In addition to that, it would contribute to our food security but also expand the export base,” he said.
Rwanda has been importing fertilizer products to meet her growing land under cultivation. However, prices of the commodity had increased because of the transport logistics. Data from the Ministry of Agriculture shows that the use of fertilizers in the season A increased from 29,917 tonnes to 43, 757 tonnes, a 46% increase compared to the same previous period last year. The uptake of fertilisers is expected to grow to 51 kilogrammes per hectare in 2020/21, 60 kilogrammes in 2021/22, 65 kilogrammes in 2022/23 and 75 kilogrammes in 2024.
