ICRISAT's Landscape-based Fertilizer Advisory Tool to Benefit Over 15,000 Farmers in Ethiopia
Workshop
Hawassa, Sidama Regional State: The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT-Ethiopia) conducted a successful two-day workshop from 12 to 13 June 2024. The workshop aimed at piloting and scaling a landscape-based fertilizer advisory system. This initiative, part of the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy program, is expected to benefit over 15,000 farmers this season.
The workshop brought together scaling partners from various sectors, including District Agriculture Offices (22 districts), Zone Agriculture Offices (7 Zones), NGOs (6), and Universities (2). The primary goals were to raise awareness about the landscape-based fertilizer advisory among new partners, provide guidelines for its implementation, and develop a comprehensive plan for its dissemination and use.
ICRISAT presented detailed implementation guidelines covering protocols, decision support tools, data collection methods, communication strategies, and partnership engagement frameworks. Participants developed actionable plans encompassing piloting and scaling strategies, training programs for farmers and extension agents, and detailed communication and partnership coordination plans at the ward (kebele), district, and zonal levels.
The collaboration and plans developed during the workshop are poised to significantly enhance fertilizer use efficiency and agricultural productivity, directly impacting the livelihoods of thousands of farmers in Ethiopia.
