Two years ago, Yohanis Tesfaye, a smallholder farmer from Oromia, Ethiopia, was struggling with declining soil fertility and crop yields. Years of unsustainable farming practices, combined with heavy rainfall and erosion, had made his land difficult to cultivate. Chemical fertilizers no longer restored the soil’s productivity, and food shortages placed additional strain on his household.
Tesfaye’s situation is similar to that faced by many farmers across Ethiopia. More than 85% of the country’s nearly 129 million people depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. However, much of Ethiopia’s arable land is affected by soil degradation caused by erosion, nutrient loss, and unsustainable land use. About seven million hectares have become acidic and less suitable for crops unless treated. This decline in soil health reduces both individual farmers’ incomes and the nation’s progress toward food security.
The turning point for Tesfaye came after he attended training sessions at his district agricultural office. These sessions were led by experts trained through the Ethiopia Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP), a government initiative supported by the World Bank. During these trainings, he learned about integrated soil fertility management and vermicomposting—a method that uses earthworms to convert organic waste into compost.
Tesfaye said: “The program gave me a composting box and worms, and I agreed to build a composting house. Soon after, I was able to prepare compost and use it to grow maize."
By applying vermicompost along with 50 kg of inorganic fertilizer provided by the project to his quarter-hectare maize field, Tesfaye increased his yield by 67%, from 9 to 15 quintals in one season.
To date, the FSRP has reached nearly 48,700 farmers with training on soil fertility management techniques such as using organic fertilizers and integrated pest management. The program includes hands-on demonstrations in lime application and pest control methods so farmers can improve soil structure and crop health. In areas where acidity is a problem, interventions like lime application have helped make nutrients more available to plants.
More broadly, approximately 1.2 million people have benefited from related activities including training in agribusiness skills, enterprise development support, improved access to irrigation systems and animal health services.
The FSRP is part of a larger regional effort spanning seven countries in Eastern and Southern Africa aimed at improving food security and rural livelihoods while building resilience against climate change impacts. Participating countries share knowledge so they can adapt interventions based on local needs while learning from each other’s experiences.
At a recent gathering in Addis Ababa, agricultural experts met with policymakers to discuss digital agriculture solutions and standards for trade as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen food systems across the region.
Within Ethiopia specifically, FSRP initiatives are also upgrading public agricultural extension services and fostering partnerships between public agencies and private companies. The program provides specialized advice on topics such as mechanization or climate-smart agriculture practices while establishing new knowledge hubs for farmer education.
Yohanis Tesfaye’s experience reflects broader trends seen among participating farmers who have adopted sustainable practices introduced through the program. He said: “When my neighboring farmers ask me about the benefits of compost, I explain it to them and encourage them to use it.”