Chinese firm to build fertiliser plant in Uganda

Uganda has signed a deal with a Chinese company to develop a phosphate mine and fertiliser plant as part of a broader agreement that will see the firm spend at least $620 million, the country’s minerals minister said.

Uganda currently imports all its fertiliser ingredients, making them costly and beyond the reach of most smallholder farmers, who make up most of the agricultural sector. Peter Lokeris, State minister for minerals and energy, said the Chinese investment would sharply cut the cost of fertiliser in Uganda, widen usage at farms and potentially increase yields of crops including coffee, tea and tobacco.