Ugandan researchers, supported by the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI), have developed an organic fertiliser made from leather production waste. The work was led by Simon Peter Musinguzi and began last year with funding from the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology under SGCI. Tannery processes use only a portion of the skin and leave much as waste, so the team focused on turning that waste into value.
The new product extracts collagen from animal skin to form a hydrogel, which is then enriched with nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Researchers call it a "smart" fertiliser because it releases nutrients according to soil needs and helps retain moisture, potentially reducing drought impact on coffee plantations.
Trials on a coffee farm in Masaka produced strong results. Farmer Frank Matovu said many commercial fertilisers are not organic and that organic coffee attracts higher prices; he also warned that chemical fertilisers can weaken soil and create long-term dependence. Geoffrey Seruwu from the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) said the innovation could reduce dependency cycles and boost high-value crops like Hass avocado for European markets. The team is evaluating how long the fertiliser lasts in soil and aims for a market-ready product by November, planning to seek partnerships to determine price and scale distribution to neighbouring countries.
Difficult words
- tannery — place where animal skins are processed
- collagen — protein from animal skin and connective tissue
- hydrogel — soft material that holds lots of water
- enrich — add nutrients or useful substances to soilenriched
- retain — keep something and prevent loss
- dependency — situation of needing something for support
- market-ready — ready to be sold to customers
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Discussion questions
- What are the environmental and economic benefits of turning tannery waste into organic fertiliser? Give reasons from the article.
- What challenges might the team face when setting a price and scaling distribution to neighbouring countries?
- How likely are farmers in your area to adopt a new organic fertiliser that retains moisture and releases nutrients slowly? Explain your view.
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