ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the production process of the phosphate fertiliser and the agronomic results obtained from field trials on maize and finger millet. The phosphate component of the Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium compound fertilisers produced locally is imported in the form of finished fertilisers such as di-ammonium phosphate, single superphosphate or triple superphosphate. There are several phosphate deposits in the country with potential for use in the production of phosphatic fertilisers. The high cost of imported fertiliser raw materials prompted the search for phosphate deposits in Zambia which led to the discovery of such deposits in different parts of the country. The type of phosphate deposits found in Zambia are unsuitable for direct application as fertiliser. The chapter argues that some phosphate deposits in Zambia could be converted to agronomically suitable phosphatic fertilisers. A feasibility study on the possibility of setting up small-scale or miniplants for the production of Partially Acidulated Phosphate Rock fertiliser in rural areas was carried out.
