Buganda and Grain Pulse sign partnership – Owek Roland Ssebuufu and Fredrick Petrus Van Oudtshoorn formalize the agreement as Buganda officials look on
The Buganda Kingdom has launched a coffee fertilizer, ‘Ekigimusa ky'Emmwanyi Enkulu’, produced by Grain Pulse Ltd, and entered into a partnership with the company to enhance coffee farming.
This initiative aims to help farmers improve both the quality and yield of their coffee harvests. The Kingdom has confirmed that this fertilizer is effective for coffee and other crops, with the goal of increasing production and quality.
The event took place at Bulange Gardens on Thursday and was attended by Owek Roland Ssebuufu, representing Buganda, and Fredrick Petrus Van Oudtshoorn on behalf of Grain Pulse. The Second Deputy Katikkiro and Kingdom Treasurer, Owek Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa, represented the Katikkiro at the launch.
While officiating the event and signing the partnership, Owek Nsibirwa assured the people of Buganda that the fertilizer had been thoroughly tested, met high-quality standards, and passed all required certifications.
He emphasized that Grain Pulse Ltd, a German company, is known for producing high-quality agricultural inputs, and this fertilizer is formulated based on the Terimba coffee variety. He encouraged farmers to embrace it through the partnership established with BUCADEF.
Kamalabyonna noted that the Kingdom’s strategic plan includes promoting coffee farming, despite challenges such as soil depletion. He advised farmers to enrich their soil by using the right fertilizers available at affordable prices.
Sealing the deal – Owek Roland Ssebuufu and Fredrick Petrus Van Oudtshoorn shake hands, witnessed by Owek Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa, at the launch event.
The Minister for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, and Cooperatives, Owek Hajji Amisi Kakomo, acknowledged that although many farmers are growing coffee, low yields remain a challenge. However, he expressed confidence that the introduction of this fertilizer would lead to improved harvests.
BUCADEF’s Executive Director, Alfred Bakyusa, reassured farmers that they would benefit greatly from coffee farming if they used this fertilizer and maintained a strong collaboration with Grain Pulse Ltd.
Speaking on behalf of Grain Pulse Ltd, Fredrick Petrus Van Oudtshoorn stated that the company specializes in producing fertilizers and agricultural products with a focus on maximizing farmers' profits. He noted that Africa has fertile land, and Uganda could compete with Tanzania in maize exports if farmers adopted the right fertilizer application methods.
The launch event was attended by several Buganda Kingdom ministers, including Owek Israel Kazibwe Kitooke, Owek Noah Kiyimba, and Owek Ssaalongo Robert Sserwanga, along with Kingdom agricultural officers and other stakeholders.