ETH-Soil is being implemented in Sidama

10.02.2025

As part of the implementation of the ETH-Soil project in the Sidama region, project team member Daniel Grimm travelled to the regional capital Hawassa. The aim was to lay the foundations for the planned activities and to intensify cooperation with local partners and stakeholders. One particular focus of the project implementation in Sidama is the utilisation of residual materials from avocado cultivation. The region is known for its avocados and is now producing large quantities of avocado oil, however, the waste produced, such as peels and pits, has hardly been utilised to date. As part of the project, efficient forms of utilisation are now to be tested for this and other types of biomass: High-quality biochar and compost are to be produced in order to improve the region's soil and increase agricultural productivity.

An important milestone was reached at the beginning of the trip: representatives of the German Biomass Research Centre (DBFZ) and the Sidama Bureau of Agricultural and Natural Resource Development (ANRDB) signed a joint agreement that marks the first step towards the practical implementation of the project in the region.

During the trip, Daniel Grimm held numerous discussions with farmers who collaborate contractually with factories in avocado cooperatives. It became clear that many farmers see potential in recycling avocado waste, for example to reduce fertiliser costs. However, recycling has not yet been implemented in the agricultural cooperatives. The dialogue with scientists from Hawassa University and the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Institute (EIAR) also played a key role. Experiences to date with biochar and vermicomposting were discussed and further steps for research were explored.