Sugarcane and Tobacco growing in Uganda: impacts on soil and water systems – Reflections & Recommendations for sustainable production to contribute to Uganda’s transition to Middle Income status following the green growth path!

Prepared and presented by Dr. Joshua Zake (Ph.D.),
Executive Director, Environmental Alert – C/o ENR-CSO network.
Prepared & presented during the stakeholders dialogue & inception meeting on, ‘Support to
communities and private sector to develop partnerships for sustainable management of
natural resources, ecosystem services, chemicals and waste management, held in Gulu and
Masindi. Organized by Tree Talk Plus in collaboration with the ENR-CSO Network,
Environmental Alert, Ministry of water & Environment and UNDP.
Email: ed@envalert.org /joszake@gmail.com; Telephone: +256-414510547 or +256-7723057488
Website: http://www.envalert.org

Outline of the presentation
A) Background and context
B) Demands for sugarcane and tobacco in respect to soil nutrients and water
C) Meeting and soil nutrient and water demands
D) Reported impacts on soil and water systems
E) What are the existing opportunities?
F) What should be done ensure sustainable and green production of sugarcane and tobacco –
Recommendations
G) About the ENR-CSO network
H) About Environmental Alert ENR CSO Secretariat C/o Environmental Alert

A) Background and context
 Both sugarcane and tobacco are important large scale plantation crops in Uganda.
 The Government of Uganda generates income through taxes paid by the private
companies/investors in sugarcane and tobacco plantations. For instance, in the case of
Sugarcane, over 126 billion UGS in taxes as well as savings of US$ 176 million in
foreign exchange earnings was generated in 2019. For Tobacco the annual tax
contribution in 2017 was 156 billion Uganda Shillings.
 The plantations both sugarcane and tobacco create employment along the respective
value chains, thus impacting on community livelihoods. For instance, the sugar
industry provides over 20,000 and 50,000 direct and indirect employments
respectively.
,
 Both Private sector investing in sugarcane and tobacco plantations also invest in
Corporate Socio Responsibility (through construction of schools, hospital, road
construction & maintenance ; community development initiatives) there positively impacting
on community livelihoods and well-being. ENR CSO Secretariat C/o Environmental Alert

B) Demands for sugarcane & tobacco in respect to soil nutrients and water
 Despite the attributes of sugarcane and tobacco production described above there are reported
challenges for its sustainable production, thus its associated with negative impacts on the for
both sugarcane and tobacco production.
 This is associated with the respective crops and the required process along the value chains from
production, processing.
 Most soils in Uganda are very old and deeply weathered with very low nutrient holding capacity
and deficiencies or toxicities of trace elements. This is because most soils have been mined of
nutrients for a long time without due replenishment. Thus, the reported estimated annual nutrient
depletion is an average of 87kgs of nutrients (Nitrogen – N; Phosphorus – P; Potassium - K) per
hectare (i.e. 38kgs of N; 17kg of P; and 32kgs of K) (MAAIF, 2015).
 Despite this, Tobacco has high demand for soil nutrients compared to other annual crops ---
 Production of both crops (sugarcane & Tobacco) involves use/application of huge quantities of agro-
chemicals (i.e. inorganic fertilizers & pesticides).
 For instance, in 2013, the total area under the main selected crops was 6.2 million Ha of which
174,288 (2.8 percent) was fertilized across the country -- with sugarcane recording 29 percent
followed by banana with 25 percent (MAAIF, 2015).

ENR CSO Secretariat C/o Environmental Alert
Table 1: Major Soil Nutrient Depletion by Tobacco as compared to other crops
Tobacco requirements for N is 1.6; 2.5; and 11.2 times compared to requirements by coffee, maize
and cassava – respectively.
Tobacco requirements for P is 5.8; 5.6; and 36 times compared to requirements by coffee, maize and
cassava – respectively.
Tobacco requirements for K is 2.4; 7; and 24 times compared to requirements by coffee, maize and
cassava – respectively.
*Sugarcane nutrient requirements are comparable to those for annual crops and in some cases less.
1 Ton per hactare N P K
Tabacco 24.2 14.4 46.4
Sugarcane 0.8 0.3 1.32
Coffee 15 2.5 19.5
Maize 9.8 1.9 6.7
Cassava 2.2 0.4 1.9
Source: FAO, 2019

 Both crops require huge amounts of nutrients & water for production and processing
compared to other annual crops. For instance:
*Depending on the type of Tobacco, fertilizer requirements vary and in general are 40 to 80 kg/ha N, 30
to 90 kg/ha P and 50 to 110 kg/ha K (FAO, 2019);
*Sugarcane has high nitrogen and potassium needs and relatively low phosphate requirements,
or 100 to 200 kg/ha N, 20 to 90 kg/ha P and 125 to 160 kg/ha K for a yield of 100 ton/ha cane, but
application rates are sometimes higher;
*Production of 1 Kg of sugar (along the value chain) requires 1500-3000 liters (i.e. 75-150 jerrycans)
of water.
With increasing water & environment stress, were is this
water going to come from?

C) Meeting and soil nutrient and water demands
With due considerations for the high demand for soil nutrients and water in production
and processing for both sugarcane and tobacco that are often not adequately provided by
the environment (soil, natural resources – trees/forests and wetlands) in the landscapes
& water management zones, practical strategies are required to bridge the gap. The
following are some of the strategies that must be employed to deal with these issues:
i) Investments in soil and water analyses to inform the nutrient & water requirements
and related fertilizer source. Thus, must have a professional soil scientists and or
agronomists;
ii) Purchase and application of fertilizers to provide major (Nitrogen - N, Phosphorus – P
and Potassium - K) and micro soil nutrients;
iii) Provision of adequate water through investment in appropriate irrigation
technologies e.g. drip irrigation

1) Common practices is that both crops are production as pure monocultures – which is
associated with massive cutting of trees and forest on farm and within the landscape. This is
for purposes of creating space & light, but also to meet the energy requirements in the
processing of the produce. Overall this results in habitat and biodiversity loss that in the long
term contributes to climate change and variability – irregular rainfall patterns
2) Like any other industry, the processing of the produce from both crops generates
‘agricultural wastes’ – e.g. ash, and other solid substances in the case of sugar, which if not
properly managed before release into the environment has negative impacts on the soil and
water systems.
3) Like any other industry, the processing of the produce from both crops generates
emissions (green house gases - ammonia) released into the atmosphere. These have
long term impacts on climate change and variability that subsequently affect community
livelihoods and well-being e.g. pro-longed droughts, floods, increased incidence of crop pests
and diseases

3) Large scale/excessive use of chemicals (i.e. fertilizers and pesticides) results into
deposition of utilized chemicals into water systems (streams, lakes & rivers) through
leaching, runoff. This has several negative impacts such as: increasing costs for purification
of contaminated (thus, costs for water treatment is 4 times now compared to what it was
10 years ago); loss of fish and reduction in fish production; human health risk through
consumption of contaminated and untreated water;
4) Residual accumulation of agro-chemicals both pesticides, fertilizers negatively
impacts on completion and & composition soil organisms (e.g. macro – earthworms,
termites,... & micro -- rizobia - establish mutual beneficial relationship in the root
nodules of legumes for N fixation & mycorriza – symbiotic relationship between fungus
& plants within there rizosphere & root system – thus positively influencing soil biology
& fertility e.g. P accumulation) and also soil chemical composition e.g. soil
acidification.
Thus subsequent use of the soil by any other crop requires additional costs for
regulation/management of soil acidity – through application of lime and or soil organic

5) The continues degradation and loss of the environment will certainly comprises the
environment and ecosystem services (e.g. rainfall formation, water sources for energy
production, temperature regulation, soil formation & conservation…) that certain production in
various sectors – energy, agriculture,…
Thus, sugar and tobacco production will become more expensive/costly due to scarcity
in water and energy and in the long-term will make the sectors unsustainable!!
6) Sugarcane fires destroy the soil biodiversity and hence attributes from this is equally lost.

1) Increasing demand for tobacco and sugar nationally and globally. Thus, reported
domestic demand for sugar is 500,000 metric tonnes by 2015 (MTTI, 2010).
2) Presence of communities and other stakeholders in the landscape which the private
sector can pursue value adding collaboration to deal with the environmental impacts
3) Existing policy and legal framework to minimize and mitigate environmental impacts
towards sustainable development e.g. the Environment Management policy and act, (2018);
the National Sugar Policy for Uganda; Uganda Green Growth Strategy, …Water management
zones (including: Upper Nile, Victoria, Kyoga, and Albert) and catchment management
plans & structures; and 7 Forest landscapes (i.e. Northern moist farm land; Afro-
montane; Karamoja; Western mid Altitude farmland; Southern West rangelands; Lake
Victoria Crescent; South East Kyoga; Afro-montane high altitude) that over lap – for
integrated natural resources (water, forest, wetlands, soils, ) management. The private sector
have a role and contribution to make.

Figure 2: Water Management Zones of Uganda. Source: MWE, 2018.

Figure 1: Forest landscapes of Uganda. Source: MWE, 2017.

4) Ongoing policy reviews- i.e. forest policy & law; wetlands policy and law; Energy
policies and laws; National Development Plan III; Agricultural Sector Strategic Plan;…
Thus, the emerging issues should be addressed in these policies.
5) International climate funds for adaptation and mitigation e.g. adaptation funds; green
climate funds – requires strategic collaboration between Government, Private sector and Civil
Society
6) Waste generated along the production chain can be treated and put to other productive
uses e.g. energy. For instance, in 2018 3 Bagasse Plants generated (i.e. Kakira Sugar
Works, Sugar and Allied Industries Limited (SAIL), and Kinyara Sugar Limited) 206.5 GWh,
the majority of which (175.2 GWh) was from Kakira Sugar Works was sold to Electricity
Transmission Company Ltd (ERA, 2018).
7) Climate change and variability – for instance how do we tap the flooding water?

F) What should be done ensure sustainable and green production of
sugarcane and tobacco – Practical Recommendations---
1) Investment in research and technology development and transfer for application of more effective
and efficient technologies – fertilizer use/application; water for production; generation of energy.
2) Establish a framework for strengthening collaboration between private sector with community,
Government (both national and local) and the civil society based on their differentiated interests,
roles and responsibilities
3) Land use planning to deliver balance between development (through agricultural based
industries,…) and environmental conservation and management – for sustainable development.
Thus, avoided tree/forest loss in the landscape.
4) Advance restoration in the landscape – through tree planting, agro-forestry, wetland restoration in
collaboration with stakeholders.
5) Extend soil testing and extension services to farmers to enable decision making and investments in
fertilizer (both organic and inorganic) applications and use. Thus, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal
Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF) should provide mobile soil testing kits and soil scientists at the
sub-county levels.

F) What should be done ensure sustainable and green production of
sugarcane and tobacco – Practical Recommendations---
6) Promote effective and efficient use/application of agro-chemicals (i.e. fertilizers and pesticides)
– especially among the out growers farmer communities;
7) Promote/support agro-forestry and trees on farm – especially multi-purpose trees for soil fertility &
biodiversity conservation, food, forage, fiber, biomass energy.
8) Step-up participatory routine and regular monitoring of water and soil quality within the water
management zones to inform required decision making and action to sustain the standard of soil and
water resources.
9) Consider integrated soil and nutrient management to advance replenishment of soil organic
matter through integrated use of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers. Requires investment
in applied on farm research.
10) The Local Governments should development and implement environment and food security
bylaws and ordinances to advance soil and water conservation.

F) What should be done ensure sustainable and green
production of sugarcane and tobacco – Practical
Recommendations---
11) Targeted structured policy engagements (forestry, wetlands, energy..) to address
emerging issues to deliver sustainable production of sugarcane and tobacco to
contribute towards the transition of Uganda into the middle income status via a green
growth path. Thus, engagements with line ministries (Water & Environment; MAAIF;
Energy,…); Parliament – Committee on Natural Resources; Agriculture; Climate
Change --- to present practical recommendations---
12) Need to create platforms for stakeholder (Community, Private sector, CSOs and
Government – Local & Central) engagement, participation & coordination - to deal with
the challenges within the water management zones and forest landscapes in the country
based on responsibilities, roles and mandates. These should be built on existing initiatives for
instance: Agoro-Agu forest landscape in Lamwo, Kitgum and Pader districts;

G) About the ENR-CSO Network
 Founded in 2009, the ENR-CSO Network is a semi-formal network whose Vision is, ‘Uganda’s
natural environment providing goods and services, on sustainable basis, for national socio-
economic development.’
 Mission: ‘To Mobilize CSOs to effectively promote good governance, effective management and
sustainable utilization of Uganda’s natural resources.’
Objectives of the ENR-CSO Network
a. The ENR-CSO Network has three major objectives:
b. Proactively influence conservation and development policies and programmes for good governance, effective
management and sustainable utilization of Uganda’s environmental resources.
c. Build a credible and recognized Network within the Environment and Natural Resources Sector.
d. Strengthen ENR-CSO Network and members’ capacity to implement the Mission of the ENR-CSO Network.
 The ENR-CSO Network Secretariat is hosted at Environmental Alert.
 Further information is available at: http://enr-cso.org/

H). About Environmental Alert
Environmental Alert was founded in 1988 and is officially registered
Non Government Organization with board. Thus, in 2018 – EA made
30 years of contribution to food security and sustainable
environment and natural resources management in Uganda.
Environmental Alert is a 1st prize winner of the Energy globe award
for environmental sustainability- 2005 under the category, earth.
Environmental Alert is a member of the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and a Member of The IUCN National
Committee for Uganda.
Environmental Alert envisions, ‘Resilient and dignified communities,
managing their environment and natural resources sustainably.’
Environmental Alert’s mission is to, ‘Contribute to improved
livelihoods of vulnerable communities by Enhancing agricultural
productivity and sustainable natural resources management.
Further information about Environmental Alert is available at:
http://envalert.org/
Environmental Alert as a Secretariat mobilizes and coordinates 250
CSOs/CBOs for joint action engagement at national and local levels
through the various CSO Networks
Thank you for listening. For God and my County.
Environmental Alert hosts Secretariat for
following networks:
a) The Network for Civil Society
Organizations in Environment &
Natural Resources Sector (ENR-
CSO Network) http://enr-cso.org/ ;
b) Uganda Forestry Working Group
http://ufwg.envalert.org/;
c) The Standards Development
Group; and
d) Promoting Local Innovation in
ecologically oriented agriculture
and natural resources
management (PROLINNOVA-
Uganda Network)
http://www.prolinnova.net/uganda.
e) National Renewable Energy CSO
network

Thank you for listening!!
Asante sana!!

Sugarcane and Tobacco growing in Uganda: impacts on soil and water systems – Reflections & Recommendations for sustainable production to contribute to Uganda’s transition to Middle Income status following the green growth path!

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Sugarcane and Tobacco growing in Uganda: impacts on soil and water systems – Reflections & Recommendations for sustainable production to contribute to Uganda’s transition to Middle Income status following the green growth path!