Public-private partnership to raise Ethiopian farmer’s yields – World Fertilizer

Public-private partnership to raise Ethiopian farmer’s yields  World Fertilizer

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Oct 28, 2024 - 14:00
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Public-private partnership to raise Ethiopian farmer’s yields – World Fertilizer

Public-Private Partnership to Raise Ethiopian Farmers’ Yields

Introduction

Soil acidity negatively impacts a significant amount of Ethiopia’s arable land. In order to address this issue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the US Government, through USAID’s Feed the Future Ethiopia Transforming Agriculture project, has partnered with OCP Ethiopia Fertilizers Manufacturing PLC, a leading global producer of phosphate fertilizers. Together, they aim to implement a demonstration project focused on treating acidic soils with innovative blends. The ultimate goal is to increase crop yields and farmer incomes, leading to improved food security.

Access to Improved Fertilizers and Seeds

Access to improved fertilizers and seeds is critical for farmers to produce food for Ethiopians and to generate surplus to improve their incomes. This access includes ensuring that fertilizers and seeds can reach farmers, markets are accessible, and peace and stability prevail to ensure that harvests can reach those markets.

Demonstration Site Visit

To showcase the effectiveness of locally blended fertilizers in treating acidic soil, officials from USAID Ethiopia Mission and the Ministry of Agriculture visited a demonstration site in Malga, Sidama on October 18, 2024. The pre-scaling demonstration covers over 200 hectares across Oromia, Sidama, Central, and South West Ethiopia, and involves 600 smallholder farmers.

Field Day Visit

During the Field Day visit, attendees highlighted the effectiveness of these blended fertilizers and discussed strategies for scaling their use across regions affected by soil acidity to help smallholder farmers combat the problem.

Partnership and Impact

The collaboration between the USAID project and OCP-EFMC demonstrates the power of partnership in addressing agricultural challenges. By improving soil health and boosting crop yields, the livelihoods of smallholder farmers are uplifted, and food security across Ethiopia is enhanced.

National Agricultural Strategy

Dr. Sofia Kassa, State Minister for the Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized the importance of soil health and fertilizer use in Ethiopia’s agricultural strategy. The goal over the next five years is to expand blended fertilizer production to approximately 200,000 tons per year, meeting 20% of Ethiopia’s total fertilizer requirements.

Feed the Future Ethiopia Transforming Agriculture

USAID’s Feed the Future Ethiopia Transforming Agriculture activity, a five-year, US$77 million project, is working to improve food security for 7 million people. Through its partnership with OCP-EFMC, the project aims to promote the use of locally blended fertilizers to achieve sustainable agricultural development and contribute to the SDGs.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

  • SDG 2: Zero Hunger
  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses the issues of soil acidity and the need for improved fertilizers and seeds to increase crop yields and farmer incomes, leading to improved food security. These issues are directly connected to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) as they aim to ensure access to nutritious food for all. Additionally, the article mentions the collaboration between the US Government and OCP Ethiopia Fertilizers Manufacturing PLC, which contributes to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by promoting economic opportunities in the agricultural sector. The use of locally blended fertilizers also aligns with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) as it promotes sustainable agricultural practices. Lastly, addressing soil acidity and improving soil health contributes to SDG 15 (Life on Land) by promoting sustainable land use and biodiversity.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Based on the Article’s Content

  • 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.
  • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
  • Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
  • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

The article highlights the aim to increase crop yields and farmer incomes, which aligns with Target 2.3 under SDG 2. The collaboration between the US Government and OCP Ethiopia Fertilizers Manufacturing PLC also contributes to Target 8.3 under SDG 8 by promoting entrepreneurship and access to financial services. The use of locally blended fertilizers supports Target 12.3 under SDG 12 by reducing food losses along the production and supply chains. Lastly, addressing soil acidity and improving soil health aligns with Target 15.1 under SDG 15 by promoting sustainable land use.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress towards the Identified Targets

  • Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.
  • Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex.
  • Indicator 12.3.1: Food loss index.
  • Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.

The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but based on the identified targets, the following indicators can be used to measure progress. Indicator 2.3.1 can measure the increase in agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers. Indicator 8.3.1 can measure the proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, which reflects the promotion of formalization and job creation. Indicator 12.3.1 can measure the reduction in food losses along the production and supply chains. Indicator 15.1.1 can measure the proportion of forest area as a measure of sustainable land use.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 2: Zero Hunger 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. Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services. Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses. Indicator 12.3.1: Food loss index.
SDG 15: Life on Land Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements. Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.

Source: worldfertilizer.com