Rwanda has launched a factory with an annual capacity to blend 100,000 tonnes of fertilisers thanks to Rwanda Fertiliser Company (RFC), a joint venture between OCP Africa – a Moroccan fertiliser manufacturing firm, Agaciro Development Fund and the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI).
The state-of-the-art blending plant stationed at Bugesera Special Economic Zone located in Bugesera District, Eastern Province of Rwanda is poised to increase crop yield by 40 per cent, create 50 direct jobs through expertise transfer, and boost farmers’ income by 25 per cent.
Spanning 8 hectares, the facility includes a state-of-the-art blending unit, a 25,000-ton storage unit, a modern laboratory, and a pilot farm for agronomic trials.
Dr. Mohamed Anouar Jamali, CEO at OCP Africa and Chairman of RFC emphasized the profound impact of the Fertilizer Blending Plant on the agricultural value chain, positioning Rwanda as a strategic hub for the transformation of the food system in the East Africa region.
According to Tesi Rusagara, CEO of Agaciro Development Fund, the facility will not only increase financial autonomy for farmers but also boost the agro-processing sector through improved production.
The factory is one of the flagship cooperation projects between Rwanda and Morocco, following the State Visit of King Mohammed VI of Morocco in Rwanda in October 2016.
Rwanda’s fertiliser deficit
Rwanda’s current annual demand is estimated at 85,000 tonnes of fertilisers, supplied through importation and according to MINAGRI, the plant will target both the local and the regional markets.
Rwanda Fertiliser Blending Plant is specifically customised for the Rwandan farming system’s needs, with raw materials supplied by the OCP Group.
As opposed to imported synthetic fartilisers, the plant will be mixing fertiliser raw materials in ratios that are customised to the specific needs of soils and crops as will be determined through soil testing across the country.
The localised production is expected to reduce the import bill, contributing to the country’s economic stability and enhancing the export base.
MINAGRI has outlined plans for the facility to develop and manufacture 20 tailored products by 2025, specifically designed to address the unique requirements of Rwandan farmers, focusing on improved soil fertility and higher crop yields.
Key figures, including Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, and representatives from the OCP Group, participated in the inauguration of the factory.
The plant has been constructed at a cost of over $19.2 million.
