K+S and DEG Impulse gGmbH are launching the joint public-private partnership project “Grow Eastern Africa.” The initiative aims to strengthen agricultural productivity and improve the resilience of smallholder farmers to the impacts of climate change in Kenya and Uganda. The project is co-financed under the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) develoPPP program through DEG Impulse gGmbH.
The project focuses on improving efficient and balanced plant nutrition while providing farmers with knowledge and training on climate-smart agriculture. Farmers will receive hands-on training, their soils will be analyzed, and tailored, crop-specific fertilization recommendations will be developed based on the results. The use of organo-mineral fertilizers will also be promoted. At the same time, sustainable distribution structures and partnerships with local stakeholders, including agricultural dealers, cooperatives, and other agricultural organizations, will be established.
“With Grow Eastern Africa, we aim to combine our expertise in plant nutrition with the knowledge and needs of farmers on the ground. Balanced fertilization tailored to both soil conditions and specific crops can help sustainably increase yields while strengthening resilience to climatic changes,” said Dr. Carin-Martina Tröltzsch, Deputy Chair of the Board of Executive Directors of K+S.
“Grow Eastern Africa” will run through December 2028. The total project volume is approximately €1.3 million, funded equally through public and private contributions. The corporate partner is K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of K+S, while DEG Impulse gGmbH serves as the implementation partner.
“Productive and climate-resilient agriculture is an important prerequisite for food security and improved economic opportunities in rural areas. Public-private partnerships such as Grow Eastern Africa combine the strengths of development cooperation and the private sector, helping to advance sustainable solutions locally,” said Dr. Miriam Amine, Project Manager at DEG Impulse.
The project aims to reach at least 10,000 farmers and includes a minimum of 2,000 soil samples. By promoting fertilization practices tailored to local soil and climate conditions, agricultural productivity is expected to increase significantly. Among the targeted outcomes is an increase in crop yields of more than 20 percent compared with current farming practices. In addition, the use of organo-mineral fertilizer products is expected to be established on more than 100 farms.
“Agriculture in Kenya and Uganda faces challenges such as low and unbalanced fertilizer use, limited access to agronomic knowledge, soil degradation, and increasingly frequent weather extremes. Grow Eastern Africa addresses these challenges by combining science-based plant nutrition with practical know-how and strong local networks,” emphasized Florian Pickert, Director Fertilizer Africa at K+S and Project Manager of the initiative.
K+S has been active in East Africa since 2013 and operates local subsidiaries in the region through K+S Fertilizers Kenya and Grainpulse Limited. These companies enable close collaboration with farmers and support the development, production, and distribution of crop-specific fertilizer solutions tailored to local needs.
The project contributes in particular to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2, “Zero Hunger,” and 13, “Climate Action.” Through higher yields, more efficient nutrient use, and climate-smart farming practices, Grow Eastern Africa aims to improve both food security and economic opportunities for participating smallholder farmers.
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