By Eyasu Zekarias
The agricultural sector holds a central role in the lives and livelihoods of the majority of Ethiopians. It is estimated that around 12 million smallholder farming households contribute to approximately 95 percent of agricultural production and 85 percent of employment.
Innovations that will shape the future of fertilizer use are considered crucial for the sector, but they have not been adequately communicated to farmers through official channels. To address this gap, the Fertilizer for Food (F4F) Innovation Challenge has been launched in Ethiopia. The aim of this initiative is to improve the accessibility of fertilizers to Ethiopian farmers at reasonable prices, while also focusing on enhancing the resilience and productivity of the fertilizer supply chain.
The adoption and promotion of good agricultural practices, particularly the optimal use of fertilizers to maximize crop production, should prioritize reaching women, youth, and other vulnerable groups who are in need of improved access to fertilization, food security, job opportunities, and better living conditions. The Fertilizer for Food innovation challenge recognizes that the solution to this challenge in Ethiopia is within reach.
The United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) CATALYZE Market System for Growth (MS4G) initiative, in collaboration with Iceaddis, has received a total of 40 innovative ideas from different parts of the country for the Fertilizer for Food (F4F) Open Innovation Challenge (OIC) Challenge. Out of these, 15 ideas have reached the semi-final stage, and 13 have advanced to the final stage to participate in a competition designed to identify and accelerate new solutions and business models for accessing fertilizers.
The competition attracted applicants from various regions of Ethiopia, including private sector businesses, social enterprises, and market-oriented non-governmental organizations. After a rigorous selection process, 13 applicants were chosen as semi-finalists. Among the remaining six contestants are Green.REE Recycling, Bogale Borona Organic Fertilizer Production Company, Thur Biotech, and Three AM Manufacturing.
Bogale Borena, one of the shortlisted applicants, operates an organic fertilizer manufacturing company and presents their innovative business model. They focus on the production of vermicompost, currently utilizing organic fertilizer on their 5-hectare land and distributing it to farmers in different areas of the Sidama Dale district.
Another contestant, Three AM Manufacturing, specializes in producing and supplying affordable organic liquid fertilizer enriched with micro and macro elements, as well as effective micro-organisms. Their organic liquid fertilizer improves soil quality, unlike chemical fertilizers that can pollute soil and water. Their innovation is tailored to specific geological conditions found throughout the country, allowing them to produce effective liquid organic fertilizers for different regions.
Thur Biotech specializes in advanced bacterial biofertilizers aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and restoring soil health. These biofertilizers have undergone three years of research in three regions, proving their ability to increase crop yields by 20-30% while being three times more cost-effective than conventional chemical fertilizers. They also contribute to disease and drought resistance, reduce the need for pesticides, and make agriculture more resilient to climate change.
The creative competition started on August 22 and will run until October 20. The program is expected to last for one year and six months. Finalists in the competition will receive funding ranging from US$20,000 to $200,000, along with opportunities for business consulting and marketing networking services.