The United States Government, through USAID’s Feed the Future Ethiopia Transforming Agriculture project, has partnered with OCP Ethiopia Fertilizers Manufacturing PLC (OCP-EFMC) to tackle soil acidity in Ethiopia, which significantly impacts agricultural productivity.
Soil acidity affects a large portion of Ethiopia’s arable land, limiting crop yields and reducing farmer incomes. The partnership focuses on demonstrating the effectiveness of locally blended fertilisers to treat these acidic soils, enhancing agricultural productivity and promoting food security.
On October 18, 2024, USAID Ethiopia Mission and Ministry of Agriculture officials visited a demonstration site in Malga, Sidama, highlighting the pre-scaling efforts that cover 200 hectares across various regions, including Oromia and Sidama. The initiative engages 600 smallholder farmers to validate the effectiveness of these fertiliser blends. The demonstration aims to show that addressing soil health directly improves crop output, income, and food security, benefiting Ethiopian farmers.
Also read: Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation: Enhancing productivity with modern techniques
USAID Acting Mission Director Timothy Stein emphasised the importance of this collaboration as a model of partnership in overcoming agricultural challenges. He noted that improving soil health leads to enhanced livelihoods for smallholder farmers and greater food security. Similarly, Dr. Sofia Kassa, State Minister for Agriculture, stated that Ethiopia’s five-year goal is to expand blended fertilizer production to 200,000 metric tons annually, which would account for 20% of the country’s total fertiliser demand.
The Feed the Future Ethiopia Transforming Agriculture project is a $77 million initiative targeting food security improvement for 7 million people. Through strategic partnerships like the one with OCP-EFMC, the project focuses on making fertilisers accessible and effective, ensuring that Ethiopia’s agricultural sector thrives despite the challenges posed by soil acidity.
