In Ethiopia, the use of natural fertilizers is becoming increasingly popular as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to chemical fertilizers. This trend is driven by factors such as increased costs of chemical fertilizers and the need to improve soil health and crop productivity. Natural fertilizers, also known as organic fertilizers, include compost, fertilizers, and other organic materials that concentrate soil and provide nutrients to plants.
Recently, a team of journalists visited development projects carried out in the East Hague zone in the Harari and Oromia regions under a joint programme hosted by the Government Communications Services and the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Agency. They were able to observe activities carried out in areas of Yelemat Tirufat (basket award), urban agriculture, basin development, small and microindustry, green agriculture, manufacturing, summer irrigated wheat cultivation and other fields.
The visit revealed that activities carried out in the East Hage Zone had significantly changed the area, particularly in the development of the watershed. It has been found that the creation of areas rich in springs and water in many places has created opportunities for farmers to expand irrigation and improve production and productivity.
Previously, the East Hague zone is prone to water scarcity and drought, and many farmers have moved to other parts of the area (such as the Bolena zone, Wellega zone). Locals recall that it was a situation where they were forced to settle down. Specific changes are documented through regular awareness activities provided to the community by agricultural experts, the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Agency, and other stakeholders, as well as community initiatives focusing on basin development.
Due to the development of the basin, the East Harge zone looked lush throughout the summer. During the visit, visitors saw that water flowing everywhere was used for development, which contributed significantly to the production and productivity of the region.
During the visit, it was noted that farmers use a variety of agricultural packages to improve productivity, and new practices using natural fertilizers (compost).
Up to 70 seedling stations have been established in the East Harge Zone to implement the Green Legacy Program. Zone officials said these Naegary Bureaus play an important role in implementing the widely implemented branching development development in the East Hage Zone along with Green Legacy.
Bin Bered is a seedling nursery and compost concentration center. It is located in Metawarda, East Hage Zone. Most seedlings that nursery cultivate for climate change, soil and water conservation are edible such as avocados, mangoes, olives, dates, and pomegranates.
More than 300 million seedlings have been planted on 87 hectares of land within the zone, according to information provided by the Zone Agriculture Bureau in the 2025 budget year.
These seedlings are grown with the help of natural fertilizers in seedling nursery with binbell. On the other hand, seedlings are fertilized. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of natural fertilizers is measured.
According to Sofian Ahmed, soil improvement and development manager for Metawarda Agricultural Bureau in East Haage Zone, the zone is a drought-prone area due to lack of rainfall. As a result, farmers have not been able to produce and use the land, especially for the past few years, leading to abandonment and migration of the area.
“The Oromia Regional State Government, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, East Hague Zone, grassroots level leaders and agricultural experts, especially those involved in watershed development, created a situation where groundwater levels have risen, creating a situation where wet and wetland areas have emerged.
Sofian said various additional works have been implemented to increase productivity by combining growing water resources with land. One of these is research into the use of natural fertilizers (Vermo compost).
He showed that 60 soil composting boxes were prepared at the research center to prepare natural fertilizers, and said each of these boxes or tanks is 2 cubic meters. It can hold up to 12 bags of natural fertilizer if properly filled. It adds nutrients to the soil and turns them into fertilizer, and has a natural content. It also includes worms that play a role in soil fertility.
He pointed out that the natural fertilizer produced is not used directly, but rather as fertilizer, and a certain amount is measured and given to farmers.
Sofian said there are farmers’ training centres in all Quebele, and farmers are currently educated on natural fertilizers at 32 branch training centres in Ureda, and it is now underway.
He further explained that the technology is deployed to all 39 country kebers. It is planned that 853 households in the district will benefit from the technology this fiscal year, with 790 benefiting so far.
This natural fertilizer contains all the nutrients that should be found in the land. Therefore, the level of productivity is increased. Unlike artificial fertilizers, natural fertilizers are not applied every year when crops are sown, but can be applied once and can provide a profit of up to 3-4 years.
He said local farmers have become more aware of the benefits and are working hard to expand the use of natural fertilizers in their field. The Agriculture Bureau is also working hard to improve productivity by making all farmers a beneficiary of the technology.
Aberdier Amino, assistant manager of the Meta district of East Hague Zone, says the main purpose of expanding natural fertilizer is to maintain soil fertility. Artificial fertilizers contribute to productivity, but also damage soil nutrients.
As soil fertility decreases, productivity also decreases. He recalled training at the local level on how to improve productivity by recovering damaged land with natural fertilizer.
Recalling that natural fertilizers (VERMO compost) were introduced into production based on training provided by the Oromia Agriculture Bureau, he said the fertilizer contains nutrients such as nitrogen and oxygen needed by plants, along with microorganisms.
He also said that nearby Haromaya University is providing support and cooperation in the process of developing natural fertilizers and is carrying out a work that shows specific results.
He said one of the university’s goals is to solve community problems and be an institution focused on agriculture. It supports the local community not only in natural fertilizers but also in other areas. Haromaya University offers local farmers the best wheat seeds, best vegetable and fruit seeds, best fish species and more.
He explained that so far the technology has reached all the country queberes of the district, and many farmers are bringing it into their fields and increasing it. Techniques to increase the use of natural fertilizers have reached all rural kebers in the district, but not all implement it at the household level. Efforts are being made to ensure that all households implement it in the future.
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Government programs are being implemented to improve production and productivity in various areas of the district, and district managers said that natural fertilizer production is also a potential way to improve productivity.
Eliasschemedin, head of the East Hague Zone Agricultural Bureau, announced that the bins have stopped saplings and the Seedling and Compost Preparation Centre in Ifa Biftu Kebele, Meta Ureda, is preparing natural fertilizer (Barmo compost) to protect soil health, increase productivity and distribute it to 20 farmers to 25,000 farmers.
“For the soil to be fertile, it needs to maintain its natural content. At least 5% of the microorganisms are needed,” Elias said, adding that natural fertilizers are produced at the site that maintain the fertility of the soil. He also said farmers will be given compost from the site, which will be brought to their land and used as fertilizer.
He explained that natural fertilizers help maintain soil health, increase soil moisture retention capacity and provide essential nutrients to the soil. This is important for improving production and productivity.
Local farmers are now looking at the results and are bringing yeast into their fields to grow. The Director of Zone Agriculture explained that this is a planned project to increase the productivity of the zone by expanding the work.
By Bacha Zewdie
Ethiopia Herald Friday, May 2, 2025
