Kazo district has received 900 bags of fertilizer from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) following a presidential directive aimed at boosting agricultural production among coffee farmers.

This fertilizer was received today at the district headquarters by the LC5 Chairman, Rev. Samuel Mugisha Katugunda, the district technical team was led by Assistant Principal Secretary Kyogabirwe Divine on behalf of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) was represented by Assistant RDC Abel Kyambondo, while the Office of the Internal Security Officer (DISO) was represented by Mr. Mugume Joseph

Speaking during the handover, Kyogabirwe Divine thanked the government of Uganda through MAAIF for supporting farmers in Kazo district.

Divine said the fertilizer, which is specifically intended for coffee farmers, will help improve coffee production, particularly during the current rainy season. She added that the CAO's office will work with the relevant technical officers to ensure that the fertilizer reaches the intended beneficiaries.

“This fertilizer is targeting coffee farmers and will greatly help our farmers in Kazo district, especially during this rainy season. As the office of the CAO, we shall ensure that the responsible technical people distribute it to the right beneficiaries,” Divine said.

The Kazo district LC5 Chairman, Rev. Samuel Mugisha Katugunda, said the fertilizer will contribute to improving coffee production and adding value to the district's coffee sector.

Katugunda thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for fulfilling his pledges to coffee farmers, noting that residents of Kazo have increasingly embraced coffee growing. He assured farmers that the district would ensure the fertilizer is properly and fully distributed to the intended beneficiaries.

Moses Kalembe, the principal consultant and supplier, said the fertilizer programme follows a presidential directive to support farmers through a subsidized co-funding arrangement.

According to Kalembe, the government will contribute 70 percent of the cost of fertilizer, while farmers will contribute the remaining 30 percent.He said each 50-kilogramme bag will cost farmers Shs54,000 under the programme.

Assistant Resident District Commissioner Abel Kyambondo said the Office of the RDC would monitor the distribution to ensure that the fertilizer benefits the intended farmers.

Kyambondo also thanked President Museveni for responding to concerns raised by farmers, particularly those growing coffee in areas where soil fertility is a challenge. He emphasised that the fertilizer is strictly meant for coffee farmers and is being distributed under the government’s co-funding arrangement.
Kazo is among the districts benefiting from the government’s subsidised fertilizer programme.The programme follows concerns raised by farmers during President Museveni’s countrywide engagements, where farmers reportedly highlighted the high cost and limited availability of fertilizers.

Following the concerns, the President directed the relevant ministry to establish a subsidised fertilizer programme under which the government would meet 70 percent of the cost, with farmers contributing 30 percent.

Under the arrangement, a farmer will pay Shs54,000 for a 50-kilogramme bag of fertilizer. Further information on how farmers will make the 30 percent payment, whether through an online or physical payment system will be communicated to beneficiaries.

The fertilizer is strictly intended for coffee farmers and district authorities have urged beneficiaries to follow the official distribution and payment procedures.

The writer is Tinyefuza Naboth, Communications Officer, Kazo district local government.