Bringing Soil back to its fertility and building resilient livelihoods through Conservation Agriculture in Ethiopia – CIMMYT

Report on the Scaling Conservation Agriculture-based Sustainable Intensification (SCASI) Project in Ethiopia

Introduction and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

In Ethiopia’s Oromia, Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, and South Ethiopia Regions, the Scaling Conservation Agriculture-based Sustainable Intensification (SCASI) project is addressing critical development challenges. Implemented by CIMMYT and the CFGB networks, the project counters soil degradation, low crop yields, and climate vulnerability. This initiative directly contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), establishing a framework for resilient and sustainable agriculture.

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): By enhancing soil health and productivity, the project improves food and nutrition security for smallholder farming communities.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): The core of the project involves restoring degraded land and promoting sustainable agricultural practices that improve soil health and biodiversity.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): CASI practices build resilience to climate variability and contribute to climate change mitigation through improved soil organic carbon.
• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): The project empowers women by creating new economic opportunities and promoting their role as leaders in sustainable farming.
• SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Increased yields and diversified crops lead to higher incomes and more sustainable livelihoods.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The project is a collaborative effort involving international organizations, national research centers, government bodies, and local communities.

Methodology: Conservation Agriculture-based Sustainable Intensification (CASI)

Holistic Farming Systems Approach

The SCASI project employs a systems-based approach that integrates crop and livestock production with water and nutrient management. Farmers are provided with a menu of 16 CASI options tailored to local agroecological conditions. This strategy ensures adaptability and promotes long-term sustainability.

Key CASI Practices Implemented

Farmers are trained in a range of techniques designed to restore soil health and boost productivity. These practices form the foundation of the project’s success in achieving SDG 2 and SDG 15.

• Minimum Tillage: Reduces soil erosion and preserves soil structure.
• Mulching: Protects the soil surface, conserves moisture, and enhances fertility.
• Intercropping and Crop Rotation: Diversifies crops, improves soil nitrogen content (especially with legumes like pigeon pea and haricot beans), and enhances household nutrition.
• Cover Cropping: Prevents soil erosion and improves soil health during fallow periods.
• Composting and Vermicomposting: Transforms organic waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer, reducing reliance on chemical inputs and creating income opportunities, thereby supporting SDG 1 and SDG 5.

Project Outcomes and Impact Analysis

Environmental and Agricultural Impact (SDG 2, 13, 15)

Action research from the project demonstrates significant positive outcomes for both agricultural productivity and environmental health. These results underscore the project’s contribution to building resilient food systems.

1. Increased Yields: Crop yields increased by up to 144% for participating farmers.
2. Improved Soil Health: Data indicates improved soil pH and stabilized soil organic carbon levels.
3. Enhanced Water Retention: Practices like mulching have greatly improved soil moisture retention, increasing resilience to dry periods.
4. Reduced Yield Variability: The adoption of integrated CASI packages has led to more stable and predictable harvests.

Socio-Economic Impact (SDG 1, 5, 8)

Beyond agronomic improvements, the SCASI project has generated substantial socio-economic benefits, empowering communities and fostering inclusive growth.

• Livelihood Improvement: Higher productivity and crop diversification have boosted household incomes and economic resilience.
• Women’s Empowerment: The project has created new opportunities for women and marginalized groups. For example, farmer Marame Chali has become a community leader, training over 40 neighboring farmers, while Tabote Bekana generates income from selling vermicompost. These cases exemplify progress toward SDG 5.
• Knowledge Transfer: The project has trained over 21,000 farmers and supported 376 community platforms, building local capacity for sustainable innovation.

Scalability and Future Outlook

Project Reach and Adoption Rates

The SCASI model has demonstrated significant reach and high adoption rates, indicating its effectiveness and potential for wider application.

• Over 17,500 households have been reached across eight target districts.
• More than 90% of beneficiaries have adopted between four to six CASI practices on their farms.

Institutionalization for Long-Term Sustainability

The success of the SCASI model has prompted its expansion by government partners. In the Leka Dulecha and Sibu Sire districts, CASI practices have been scaled to 14 new villages, reaching an additional 5,453 farmers. The next strategic phase is to institutionalize the CASI approach by embedding it within national agricultural strategies, training programs, and extension systems. This will ensure the long-term sustainability of the project’s impact and contribute to Ethiopia’s national development and SDG targets.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the Scaling Conservation Agriculture-based Sustainable Intensification (SCASI) project in Ethiopia addresses several interconnected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The analysis reveals connections to the following goals:

• SDG 1: No Poverty: The project aims to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers by boosting their incomes through increased productivity and diversification, directly contributing to poverty reduction.
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: This is a central theme, as the project focuses on “boosting productivity, and improving food and nutrition security” through sustainable agricultural practices.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The article highlights the empowerment of women, showcasing a female farmer, Marame Chali, as a successful leader and advocate. It also notes that certain practices create “new opportunities for women.”
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The project promotes “climate-smart” technologies and aims to build farmers’ “resilience to the impacts of climate variability,” which is a core component of climate action.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The fundamental goal of the project is to combat land degradation by “restoring soil health,” improving “soil fertility,” and transforming “once-degraded land,” directly aligning with the protection and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The project is a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders, including international research centers (CIMMYT), non-governmental networks (CFGB), national bodies (BoAs, research centers), and international donors (Development Fund of Norway), exemplifying a multi-stakeholder partnership for sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the activities and outcomes described in the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
   • Justification: The article explicitly states that the project has “more than doubled yields” and led to “boosting incomes.” It focuses on smallholder farmers and highlights a woman farmer, Marame Chali, who generated “significant income.”
2. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
   • Justification: The project promotes Conservation Agriculture-based Sustainable Intensification (CASI) practices like minimum tillage, mulching, and intercropping, which are described as “sustainable” and “resilient.” The article notes these practices improve “soil health,” “soil moisture retention,” and “soil fertility.”
3. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
   • Justification: The article features Marame Chali as an “inspiring example,” a “storyteller and advocate for sustainable farming within her community,” showcasing her leadership role. It also mentions vermicomposting creating “new opportunities for women… to participate in sustainable agriculture.”
4. Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
   • Justification: The project’s core mission is “Restoring Soils, Restoring Hope.” It addresses “soil degradation” and has transformed “once-degraded land into a lush, productive space” by improving “soil pH” and stabilizing “soil organic carbon.”
5. Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries.
   • Justification: The SCASI project is described as being “jointly implemented by CIMMYT and CFGB networks… with financial support from the Development Fund of Norway (DF)” and in collaboration with national research centers. This demonstrates a multi-stakeholder partnership sharing knowledge and resources.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator for Target 2.3 (Productivity and Income):
  • Quantitative: The article states that CASI practices “increased yields by up to 144%” and have “more than doubled yields.” It also mentions farmers receiving “additional income.”
• Indicator for Target 2.4 (Sustainable Practices):
  • Quantitative: “Over 90% of beneficiaries adopted 4 to 6 CASI practices.” The number of farmers reached is also a key metric: “over 17,500 households,” “more than 21,000 farmers trained,” and an expansion to “5,453 farmers” in new villages.
• Indicator for Target 15.3 (Land Restoration):
  • Quantitative/Qualitative: The article mentions measurable improvements in soil quality, such as “improved soil pH” and “stabilized soil organic carbon.” Qualitative descriptions like “transformed once-degraded land into a lush, productive space” and improved “soil moisture retention” also serve as indicators.
• Indicator for Target 5.5 (Women’s Participation):
  • Qualitative: The success story of Marame Chali, who “generously shared seeds with more than 40 neighboring farmers” and inspires her community, serves as a powerful qualitative indicator of women’s leadership and participation.
• Indicator for Target 17.16 (Partnerships):
  • Qualitative: The existence of the partnership itself, involving CIMMYT, CFGB, FHE, MSCFSO, TDA, Development Fund of Norway, and national research centers, is an indicator of a functioning multi-stakeholder collaboration.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cimmyt.org