The N2 Africa Project launched by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) with the view of putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers growing legume crops Africa has been successful in increasing Ethiopia’s soil fertility and agricultural outputs during the past two years.
This was disclosed today at the opening of a three day-long ILRI N2 Africa Annual Partners’ Review and Planning Workshop.
Country Coordinator N2 Africa-Ethiopia, Dr. Endalkachew Wolde-meskel said on the occasion that the strong public-private partnership among farmers, agriculture practitioners and the government is the major factor for the success of the project.
Dr. Endalkachew stated that 25,000 farmers organized under various farmers’ cooperatives have benefited from the program in Benishangul-Gumuz, Amhara, SNNPR and Oromia regional states.
The coordinator added that the plan is to increase the number of beneficiary farmers to 50,000.
N2 Africa project has made successful works in blending composts and producing nitrogen in local factories that will put in to small holder farmers’ land, he indicated.
Instructor and researcher in Hawassa University, Dr. Tulu Degefa said on his part the university is working along N2 Africa in various parts of Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Regional State.
He revealed that legume crops yield per hectare has increased from 15 to 30 quintals in some parts of the region.
Dr. Tulu called on the government, researchers and other stakeholders to contribute their share in the effort to improve the country’s soil fertility and to create a sustainable agricultural productivity.
The N2 Africa project is a large scale research-in-development project focused on putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers growing legume crops in 11 African countries.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has contributed 25 million USD for the N2 Africa Project, out of which 2.6 million USD is allotted to Ethiopia.
(culled from ena.gov.et)
