In the realm of promoting innovations in agricultural sector, a competition was organized by National Industrial Research and Development Agency (NIRDA) as part of promotion of small entrepreneurs with ideas that can impact the community by creating job opportunities.
It is in this context that trained multipliers and students in the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Management of the University of Technology and Arts of Byumba (UTAB) which is also the Pillar Implementing Partner (PIP) implementing pillar related to research and applied knowledge under the Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative Project (EOA-I) had an idea of starting a business in the field of manufacturing of bio-fertilizer using  a mixture of residues from cow production (cow dung, cow urine) and Tithonia diversifolia.
These multipliers Robert Nshimiyimana and Abed Niyonshuti having been trained under KCOA project, came up with an idea of pitching in the competition and turning the knowledge and skills gained from the training into a profitable business of producing a homemade bio fertilizer to increase crop production by improving soil fertility. Â
How this bio-fertilizer is made?
The bio fertilizer is made of Tithonia diversifolia, cow urine and cow dung
Why did they decide to use tithonia, cow dung and cow urine as ingredients? “Cow urine was chosen as one of the ingredients to make the bio fertilizer because it contains a high level of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK), Tithonia diversifolia is used to increase the nitrogen as well as enhance the repellent effect, incorporating pesticide properties into the fertilizer. The combination of these ingredients makes a bio fertilizer which is rich in macronutrients (NPK) produced naturally and can be used by farmers to replace synthetic fertilizers made of NPK.
According to their procedures of producing the bio fertilizer, “they grind the tithonia using artisanal machine and mix with cow urine and cow dung for a fermentation period that takes 3 weeks in plastic tanks.”
 The fertilizer will be ready for application to many crops but trials were done mainly on vegetables presented successful results. Further comparative trails will be done to check how it improves soil fertility to increase production.
The produced bio fertilizer was exhibited in different agricultural exhibitions events and was much appreciated by farmers. To be able to sell the final product legally, samples were sent to different laboratories for analysis to check the level of nutrient content and environmental effects and be included on the list of fertilizers authorized to be used in the country and issuing certificates of origin.
These multipliers encourage other trained multipliers to use the knowledge and skills gained during the training of multipliers to create change in the food system by creating sustainable solutions that address the challenges of the communities related to unavailability of organic inputs.
Success story collection – done by Serge Libaho – KHEA Project Officer – ROAM-Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement,
Edited, reviewed & uploaded by Magino Pamella-KHEA Communications Officer-PELUM Uganda and Biovision Africa Trust Kenya
Author: Serge LIBAHO
Agriculturist
