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East Africa

Revolutionising Coffee Production in Uganda with Collagen Fertiliser

March 29, 2025

(3 Minutes Read)

Ugandan researchers have created a method to convert leather production waste into a nutrient-rich agricultural solution for coffee farming. This innovation addresses significant issues in Uganda’s agriculture by focusing on waste management and soil fertility, utilising a scientifically advanced process to produce organic fertiliser.

Lead researcher Simon Peter Musinguzi from Uganda Martyrs University emphasised that transforming leather processing waste into organic fertiliser aims to enhance economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social welfare. Leather production, or tanning, generates substantial industrial waste, with only 20% of the leather skin used, leaving 80% as waste that can harm the environment and nearby communities. Musinguzi noted, “We recognized an opportunity to create a beneficial organic fertiliser that aids agriculture, protects the environment, and boosts farmers’ incomes.”

The research began last year with funding of USD 34,000 from the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology under the Science Granting Councils Initiative. The team focused on coffee, Uganda’s primary cash crop cultivated by 1.8 million households, although they believe their fertilizer could also be applied to other crops.

Musinguzi explained that the “smart” fertiliser can detect and release nutrients as needed, minimising the frequency of applications. Additionally, it helps soil retain moisture, potentially mitigating drought impacts on coffee farms. Frank Matovu, a coffee farmer in Masaka, reported impressive results from the fertiliser, noting that conventional fertilisers often require more than two applications per season.

Matovu highlighted that most fertilisers are not organic, which can lower market prices since buyers prefer organic products. He warned that chemical fertilisers can degrade soil quality over time, leading to dependency that burdens farmers economically. The European Union, Uganda’s largest coffee market, encourages farmers to adopt more sustainable practices, including organic fertilisers. Matovu added that while organic options can be costly and often ineffective, this new fertiliser is a significant advantage for farmers.

Geoffrey Seruwu from the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) views this innovation as a potential boon for Uganda’s agriculture. He pointed out that many current fertilisers create dependency, forcing farmers to continue using them or risk declining yields. If successful, this research could bolster Uganda’s coffee sector and enhance the production of high-demand crops like Hass avocados. NARO is open to collaborating with local researchers to ensure the fertiliser is widely available to farmers.

The researchers are currently assessing the fertiliser’s effectiveness in soil and aim to have a market-ready product by November. They plan to target markets in Ethiopia, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, in addition to Uganda. Musinguzi noted that partnerships with government and agricultural stakeholders will be crucial for determining pricing and scaling production.

Uganda produces 393,900 tonnes of coffee annually, making it the second-largest producer in Africa and sixth globally. However, it faces challenges from poor farming practices, ineffective fertilisers, and difficult environmental conditions. The fertiliser’s main ingredient is collagen, a protein derived from animal skin, which is used to create a hydrogel rich in essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for plant growth.