The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries has launched a new fertiliser initiative, dubbed “FertiPlus,” aimed at revitalising and boosting coffee production across Northern Uganda.
The program, which involves the distribution of specialised organic fertiliser, is a key part of a broader government campaign to scale up coffee productivity and profitability for farmers in the region.
The announcement was made on Tuesday October 28, 2025, in Lira City by Twiine Julius, the Senior Agricultural Officer for Northern Uganda.
He stated that the ministry’s mandate is to promote coffee production and all the activities along the coffee value chain in the northern region.
According to Twiine, the initial phase will involve distributing 1,050 bags of fertiliser to selected “demonstration farmers” in the Lango sub-region. This includes 850 bags allocated for farmers in Apac and Kwania districts. A further 200 bags, currently stored in Gulu, are destined for Oyam district.
This fertiliser distribution program is part of a bigger campaign of upscaling coffee production and productivity in Northern Uganda.
“Last season we gave out seedlings and planting materials. This fertiliser is part of the greater package.” Twiine said.
He emphasised that the current distribution is for demonstration purposes, allowing farmers to see the tangible benefits before investing in the fertiliser themselves.
“The fertiliser we are giving out may not be able to reach every farmer, the districts have selected beneficiaries. So that when a farmer finds out a good benefit about this fertiliser, he or she can go to the shop and be able to purchase it,” he said.
The rollout is being executed in phases, While Apac and Kwania have already received their allocation, Lira City and Lira district are scheduled to receive their share on Friday, October 31, 2025.
The distribution in Lira will be preceded by a crucial training session for farmers on the correct application of the fertiliser.
For other districts, the process is still underway. Twiine confirmed that Amolatar, Dokolo, Alebtong, Kole, and Otuke districts are still having their documents verified and will be informed when the next procurement is complete.
Oyam district will wait for its allocation from the Acholi sub-region, Twiine said.
Twiine urged farmers to prioritise applying the fertiliser during the current rainy season for maximum effect. He provided clear application guidelines:
• Mature Trees: Apply 500 grams per plant by making a ring (a “hall”) where the shade of the coffee tree ends.
• Young Plants (6 months to 3 years): Apply half the dose, or 250 grams.
He also advised farmers to support the branches of their coffee plants after application, as the improved growth could lead to heavier, more productive branches.
The “FertiPlus” program is part of a national effort, with fertiliser being distributed across the country. In Northern Uganda, the rollout has already taken place in the West Nile and Acholi sub-regions, with Lango being the latest to benefit.
Twiine connected the use of inputs to better incomes for farmers.
“When the coffee grows well it means a farmer will earn more money because we base it on quality and weight,” he added.
Twiine urged farmers to use this fertiliser very well so that in a few years to come they can get something.
This initiative underscores the government’s push to establish Uganda as a robust coffee-growing nation, with active cultivation now being practised in all sub-regions.
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