WEF_GrowAfrica_AnnualReport2014

2013 in Review 2013 in Review
SPOTLIGHT
EthioSIS – Enhancing smallholder productivity
and sustainable land use
CONSTRAINTS
Catalytic action needed on infrastructure,
trade policy, and partnerships
Soil analysis helps farmers evaluate the productivity of
their land and maximise the efficiency of fertiliser use.
Smallholder farmers in Ethiopia have traditionally relied
on government extension agents to provide them with
information and guidance for these purposes. However,
the country does not have sufficiently current soil
fertility maps to support farmers and policymakers in
their decision-making.
The Ethiopian Soil Information System (EthioSIS)
project was launched in January 2012 to set up a
government-managed system that provides information
on soil conditions by district. Data from EthioSIS
improves and supports local fertiliser processing
capacity with information on relevant blends for
specific regions of the country.
Building on EthioSIS data, four farmer cooperative
unions are soon set to institute and manage fertiliserblending
plants as independent profit-driven
business units. This will be in line with the Ministry
of Agriculture’s identification of the establishment of
fertiliser-blending plants as a priority under its 2011
Soil Fertility Research and Management Roadmap, a
document which is designed to help realise Ethiopia’s
target of doubling 2010 agricultural production levels
by the end of implementation of the GTP in 2015.
Companies highlighted the following constraints faced by their investments. If addressed, they could strengthen the
enabling environment and unlock further investment.
1. Shortage of last-mile infrastructure: Whilst Ethiopia is currently advancing key infrastructure projects, this is often
inaccessible to smallholders. Rural feeder roads are poor, limiting access to markets. Ethiopia’s high reliance on
rain-fed agriculture means improved irrigation capacity for smallholders could greatly enhance their productivity.
Limited storage in turn means that crops need to be sold quickly to avoid wastage.
2. Protectionist trade policies: Certain protectionist trade policies present constraints to domestic and international
companies alike. Specifically, financial regulations limit access to foreign exchange, while national fertiliser
regulations make bringing in fertiliser for commercial development difficult.
3. Limited partnership support for domestic companies: Pre-competitive challenges remain a significant barrier
to investment and growth. Only with greater support from catalytic partners such as donor organisations, MFIs
and NGOs can companies transform value chains to a point of commercial viability and self-sustaining growth.
These problems are particularly acute for domestic companies. The ATA has played a vital role on convening such
partnerships, but mostly for ambitious projects involving multinationals. Domestic companies would welcome
greater engagement with the ATA in facilitating the partnerships and support that could unlock their business
growth.
Ethiosis will ensure farmers across Ethiopia understand the fertiliser that their soil needs.
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Ethiopia
Ethiopia
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