Tanzania fertiliser use rises as government pushes for higher yields
TFRA Executive Director, Mr Joel Laurent, addresses journalists in Dodoma on March 19, 2025, discussing the government's six-year achievements and the organization's future direction. PHOTO | COURTESY"
What you need to know:
- The consumption rose from 19 kilogrammes of the nutrients per hectare in the 2020/21 season to 24 kilogrammes per hectare in 2024/25
Dodoma. The Tanzania Fertiliser Regulatory Authority (TFRA) has reported an increase in fertiliser usage, as the government is pushing for higher yields.
The consumption rose from 19 kilogrammes of the nutrients per hectare in the 2020/21 season to 24 kilogrammes per hectare in 2024/25, according to the TFRA executive director, Mr Joel Laurent, who was speaking on the achievements of the sixth-phase government on Thursday March 20, 2025.
He noted that the ultimate goal is reaching 50 kilogrammes per hectare by 2033 to align with agreements made by African heads of state during the 2024 Nairobi Summit.
Mr Laurent attributed the rise in fertiliser consumption to an increase in availability, which has grown from 766,024 tonnes in 2020/21 to 1.21 million tonnes in 2023/24.
He highlighted that fertiliser imports have surged from 504,122 tonnes in 2020/21 to 728,758 tonnes in 2023/24, while local production has also expanded significantly, increasing from 42,695 tonnes to 158,628 tonnes over the same period.
Additionally, Mr Laurent pointed out that the number of fertiliser manufacturing plants and auxiliary production facilities has risen from 16 in 2020/21 to 33 in 2023/24. Of these, three are large-scale factories, 11 are medium-sized, and 19 are small-scale.
As part of efforts to boost local production, Mr Laurent revealed that Indonesia’s ESSA Group has expressed interest in constructing a fertiliser plant capable of producing one million tonnes annually.
The project, expected to cost Sh3.94 trillion ($1.3 billion), is set to commence in 2029. The plant is projected to generate 4,500 direct jobs during construction, 5,000 jobs during operations, and an estimated 389,000 indirect employment opportunities.
He further noted that the fertiliser trade in Tanzania has grown substantially, with the number of licensed fertiliser traders increasing from 3,069 in 2020/21 to 7,302 by February 2025.
Meanwhile, sunflower farmer Joackim Peter from Kongwa District called on the government to enhance awareness campaigns on the benefits of fertiliser use, noting that many farmers refrain from using fertilisers due to a lack of adequate knowledge.
