Mr. Lazzaro possesses five acres of land and was previously a prosperous tomato farmer in northern Arusha. Now, though, he is fighting alongside many others to keep his business and crops alive amidst a global fertilizer crisis.
Under the scorching Tanzanian sun, Lossim Lazzaro examines his field with trepidation.
Slowly, he applies animal dung to his crops as a last-ditch effort to promote their growth.
Mr. Lazzaro explains, “it has been tough for me to obtain fertilizer on the market.”
Fertilizer, the essential component for crop growth, is in short supply worldwide. As a result of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, global prices have skyrocketed as well.
Mr. Lazzaro recalls purchasing 50 kg bags of fertilizer for approximately $25 (£20) in 2019.
“However, the identical bag now costs nearly twice as much. It is costly for me.”
According to the United Nations, the amount of fertilizer accessible on a global scale has decreased by nearly half, while the price of certain types of fertilizer has nearly tripled in the previous year.
This is having repercussions in nations such as Tanzania, where farmers rely on imported fertilizer.
Mr. Lazzaro continues, “I ended up purchasing fertilizer from a local producer, but I still have to schedule my order months in advance owing to the lack.”
The crisis fuels fears of a food shortage.
Africa, which utilizes the least amount of fertilizer per hectare in the world, is in grave danger.
The shortage will undoubtedly affect agricultural yields, especially for wheat, which requires a great deal of fertilizer and is vital for feeding millions of people.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that the lack of fertilizer might cause an additional seven million people to experience food insecurity.
They predict that cereal production would decrease to approximately 38 million tonnes in 2022, from over 45 million tonnes in 2021.
Tanzania, like many other African nations, imports fertilizer from Russia and China, the world’s biggest producers.
Under Western sanctions, Russia generates enormous quantities of potash, ammonia, and urea.
These are the three essential components required to produce chemical fertilizer. They contributed to the 1960s Green Revolution, which increased world grain production and aided in feeding millions.
According to figures from Rabobank, Russia exports approximately 20% of the world’s nitrogen fertilizers and, in conjunction with its sanctioned ally Belarus, 40% of the world’s potassium.
Following the economic repercussions of the Covid-19 epidemic, the price of fertilizer was already high. Now, sanctions on Russia and Belarus, combined with export limits in China, have exacerbated an already difficult situation.
Many African nations, which are highly dependent on imports, are trying to find remedies as a result of the crisis.
The demand for locally manufactured fertilizer is increasing. Small-scale farmers in northern Tanzania are currently turning to Minjingu Mines and Fertilizer Ltd, one of the country’s largest fertilizer makers.
The company claims it is difficult to fulfill orders due to a sudden rise in demand. However, managers claim that they are unable to expand their capacity due to excessive taxation.
Director of Mining Mines and Fertilizer Tosky Hans stated, “We do not have a level playing field in comparison to importers.”
“Local manufacturers must pay high taxes, whereas importers do not,” he continued.
Tanzania, like many other nations, offers international businesses subsidies to encourage investment, while indigenous producers pay predetermined taxes.
Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (Agra), a non-governmental organization that promotes green solutions on the African continent, asserts that this is a chance for farmers to become more self-sufficient.
The country manager of Agra Tanzania, Vianey Rweyendela, pushes farmers to unionize and join cooperatives. A move that, according to him, might give them influence over market prices.
Mr. Rweyendela says that this will increase their bargaining power and make fertilizer more affordable.
Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa, recently inaugurated a fertilizer facility in Nigeria that would generate three million tonnes of urea fertilizer annually.
He feels that guaranteed supplies will be the deciding factor.
“Ordering and receiving fertilizer has been a significant obstacle for African farmers, causing them to miss the planting season,” said Mr. Dangote.
“By launching this plant, we will ensure that farmers receive nutrients early on.”
