Posted on November, 5, 2018 at 10:30 am
How much and how often should I fertilise my plants?
Ronald Katamba
Dear Ronald, The rate and frequency of application depends on the nutrient analysis of the fertiliser, plant species, soil type, and other factors.
For outdoor or garden plants always start with a soil test to determine the amounts of fertiliser needed.
A granular fertiliser is often applied to vegetable gardens at the beginning of the growing season, usually at planting or prior to planting. Annual flowers may require frequent fertilisation throughout the growing season. Houseplants need regular fertilisation no matter the season.
Perennials may need fertiliser once between March and June every year while trees and shrubs rarely need fertiliser.
But these are general recommendations and could vary, so watch your plants. Poor or slow growth and overall yellowing are signs that a plant may be lacking essential plant nutrients and would benefit from an application of fertiliser.
Answered by Samson Obong, Crop agronomist at Ngetta ZARDI, Lira.
Why is my bank asking for high interest rate on agricultural loan?
Dear Sam, the Agricultural Credit Facility (ACF) was set up by the Government of Uganda in partnership with commercial banks, Uganda Development Bank Ltd (UDBL), Micro Deposit Taking Institutions (MDIs) and Credit Institutions all referred to as Participating Financial institutions (PFIs).
The facility is intended to provide medium and long term loans to projects engaged in agriculture and agro-processing on more favourable terms than are usually available from the PFIs.
The scheme is administered by the Bank of Uganda, with provision for a maximum grace period of three years and the interest rate to the final borrower being a maximum of 10 per cent per annum.
The ACF is currently being implemented by the following Financial Institutions: dfcu, Stanbic, Centenary, Barclays, Bank of Baroda, Orient, Standard Chartered, Diamond Trust, Kenya Commercial Bank, Uganda Development Bank, Mercantile Credit Bank, Housing Finance, Opportunity Bank, Post Bank, Tropical Bank, Bank of Africa, ABC Capital, Citibank, Commercial Bank of Africa , Ecobank, Equity Bank, Finance Trust, Guaranty Trust Bank , Imperial Bank, United Bank for Africa, Pride microfinance, and Finca.
Answered by Joanita Kamuli Babumba, the director ACF Bank of Uganda
Why is crop rotation important in organic farming?
Godfrey Kibuuka, Kampala
Dear Godfrey, Lands on which over the years has the same kind of plant has been cultivated lose its natural fertility.
It is therefore necessary to cultivate different crops (crop rotation).
If after a plant with limited requirements for nutrients is a plant that needs lots of nutrients, soil is not exhausted and remains fertile.
Thus organic farming is not planted grain annually at the same place, and leafy plants such as sunflower and pumpkin, followed by “fastidious” cereals.
Answered by Alfred Kumakech, Research Officer Ngetta ZARDI, Lira.
Source: Daily Monitor