Fertiliser successfully distributed to smallholder farmers

17.10.2024

On 24th September, Mr. Eshetu Legesse and Mr. Bacha Mekonnen from the Bureau of Agriculture Oromia implemented an ETH Soil Steering Committee Meeting in Addis Abeba. Zonal representatives from the ETH Soil pilot zones (West Arsi, East Shoa and Jimma) prepared presentations on the implementation progress and challenges encountered. The ETH-Soil project manager from DBFZ, Kerstin Wilde, and the Project Coordinator, Dr. Getachew Eshete Beyene, followed the presentations and discussions. On behalf of the IQQO, the Natural Resource Director, Mr Kefyalew Assefa Geja’a was present. The involved Jimma University researchers, Dr. Abebe Niguissie and Dr. Milkiyas Ahmet, sadly, were prevented from online participation as the BoA Oromia internet connection was out of order. IQQO and Jimma University had prepared more than 100t of high-quality biochar and sizeable quantities of biochar-based fertilizers. These materials were handed over to BoA Oromia partners in the pilot Woredas.

According to the reports, awareness raising as well as the training of zonal experts, development agents and farmers on the production and application of biochar-based fertilisers were handled differently in each of the pilot woredas. In Kofele, prior GIZ ISFM and BoA Oromia promotion of vermicompost had motivated many farmers to produce their own compost. After the training, they could easily mix it with biochar and later apply it to highly acidic fields. In AT/J/Kombolcha the situation was more difficult without prior interventions and a volatile security situation. In Dedo (Jimma Zone), a large variety of composting materials were mobilised by farmers for the mixing of BBF. Overall, the zonal officers observed a very high satisfaction of the pioneer farmers with the newly introduced technology. After only two to four weeks, most farmers already noticed distinct differences of plant growth after BBF application. All ETH-Soil partners look forward to the further development of crops and yield measurements later this year.