LOSS OF SOIL NUTRIENETS IN NORTHERN UGANDA WORRIES AGRICULTURALISTS

By Robert Ojok Mone

Gulu City

Some soil Scientists and agriculturalists in Northern Uganda are alarmed by the continued loss of major soil nutrients and increase in acidic contents of soil particles.

According to soil testing conducted by Jabba soil laboratories in parts of Gulu, Oyam, Amuru and Nwoya districts, soil nutrients like phosphorus and Nitrogen are significantly diminishing.

Thelma Alonyo, a soil scientist working with Jabba soil Laboratories based in Gulu city says that both human activities and climatic conditions have affected the soil nutrients.

According to Thelma, agronomic practices like use of rudimentary tools for example, hand hoe and planting biannual plants are making Phosphorus, Potassium and Nitrogen get lost from the soil. “People are using poor agronomic practices coupled with poor farming methods hence affecting such very important soil nutrients”, he said.    

Reverend Brother. Charles Lagu, the principal of Adraa Agricultural College in Madi-Okollo district thinks that indiscriminate use of industrial fertilizers is the main factor. “Growing of tobacco specifically that heavily depends on industrial fertilizers has changed soil chemical components like inability for soil bonding thus making it prone to erosion”, Brother. Lagu said.

The Agricultural officer for Gulu city Christine Ojok Onono however emphasizes use of fertilizers to boost soil fertility with guidance from agricultural experts.
Robert Lakidi a senior crop inspector in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) however says basically a farmer should make proper selection of crops to be planted and make dip ploughing to restore the fertility of the soil

Ogwal Ambrose an agronomist implores farmers to test the soil before planting any crop to help them to know which type of crop is good for which particular soil type, PH and minerals available. “The goal of soil testing is to provide an accurate assessment of the soil fertility to make fertilizer recommendations if necessary”, he noted.