Ashago

Dear Medrekians,
This topic is a continuation of part of the discussion under the title “Which one is more embarrassing? “. I found it more valuable to discuss about it apart.

I quote the following from an article entitled ‘Fertilizer as the cause of famine in Ethiopia’ that is found in http://www.ethio.nl/ethionl/ethio_fertilizers/fertilizer_and_famine.html
Quote:
The use of fertilizers to enrich the soil with the necessary minerals to produce more grains. Soil, like human being, needs balanced diet (minerals) to produce quantitative and qualitative offspring's (cereals). It needs not be overdosed with one mineral and deprived of another. It also has to be taken care of periodically (every season). Good soil contains variety of minerals, proportionately supplied according to the need of the type of cereals one wants to produce. Adding urea enriched fertilizer to the soil only results on the growth of the leaves not the amount or quality of cereals. On the other hand adding potassium enriched fertilizer results on salty soil where nothing or little will grow after one season of consumption. Such incorrect use of fertilizer causes the sterilization of the soil.

As the writer says, incorrect use of chemical fertilizers may causes the sterilization of the soil. It is very likely the sterilized soil contribute to the famine in Ethiopia.

Another point worth of attention is the risk to the health of the population, that result form incorrect use of chemical fertilizers. I can imagine farmers living nearby a sloppy terrain get their drink water from seepages of the soil that has been treated with chemical fertilizers. Majority of the highlanders (farmers) of Ethiopia that form 80% of the population live and use such seepage water.

Can anybody tell us more about this bad practices of chemical fertilizers in Ethiopia. I particularly am searching specific information (source) about how and why Ethiopians are worsening the fertility of the soil by wrong use Chemical fertilizers and what is the risk to the health of the farmers when using certain chemical fertilizers and how?

I have enough information concerning possible hazardous chemicals (also fertilizers) in the country I live in. I am searching sources from Ethiopia itself or from somebody who has observed this bad practice.

Thank you,

Gagi

The Article "Fertilizer as the cause of famine in Ethiopia" is a poorly prepared and presented story. It, by no means, presents a result of a methodically conducted study or research. It is simply one person's opinion told by another person who believed the story to be true.

I remember, in late 1990's when the government intensified measures to increase yields per hectare of land through, notably, the provision of extension services to rural institutions, seeds, fertilizers, and credit, the environmental impact of increased and unwise use of fertilizers have become a major concern and issue among some NGOs working in rural areas as well as some concerned professionals. There was a lot of criticism against the increased and inappropriate use of fertilizers.

But the truth is, in 1998/99, the use of fertilizers in Ethiopia was 7 Kg. of nutrients per hectare. This amount was half of the sub-Saharan Africa average of 13 kilograms. The world avarage is 97 Kg. of nutients per hectare. The problem in Ethiopia is, in fact, not high use of chemical fertilizers, rather a unit increase in expenditures on fertilizers and thus the peasants are either not provided or able to buy fertilizers as much as they require or to pay back their credit in the next season. Of course, in some places inappropriate use of fertilizers is also real problem. But by all stretch it cannot be attributed to causing famine which frequents the country almost once or twice a decade. Let us not forget that the phenomenon of drought and famine has been part of our history way back before chemical fertrilizers were introduced into the country. The soil nutrients of lands in many parts of the country are significantly washed away due to centuries of soil erosion and poor farming practices. If you go to the north, you will quickly learn how farming is impossible without fertilizers. The primary demand of the peasant farmers is access to affordable fertilizers.

Nevertheless, the relevant professionals and government institutions have also realized how much these few type of chemical fertilizers imported from abroad are being indiscriminately used thereby causing damage to the soil on the one hand and resulting in lower yield than expected, on the other. That is why, the government has recently established an institution known as "National Agricultural Input Authority". One of the the objectives of this Authority is to promote the appropriate use of fertilizers. Domestic production of fertilizers that are suitable for the different types of soils in the country, is also a big area of focus, priority and investment at the moment.

For further details, I have sent a message to the Director of the Agricultural Input Authority, Dr. Belay Simane asking him to provide us with information regarding: i) the establishment, objective and responsibilities of the Authority;
(ii) general features of fertilizers use in Ethiopia;
(iii) planned or implemented programmes to make the production, importation, and distribution of fertilizers environmentally friendly- application of fertilizers according to soil type, training peasant farmers in the appropriate use and application of fertilizers, etc.

I would, therefore, come back you as soon as I get his response. Selam,

Tulu

Western governments have also been eager to offload powerful chemicals which are increasingly falling out of favour in their own countries. Pesticides like Karate - one of the most popular for killing the bush cricket - are restricted in the Western countries which make them, but freely available in Ethiopia. Farmers are seduced by interest-free credit into buying such expensive chemicals, and by the promise of high crop yields. The attendant potential dangers were, however, and remain almost unheard of.

http://www.afrol.com/News2001/eth007_organic_farming.htm

click here for more info

The World Bank has been one of the strongest advocates, pouring millions of dollars in loans into schemes serving to encourage farmers to use chemical fertilisers. Since the overthrow in 1991 of the Marxist regime, it has been funding the National Fertiliser Programme, which has rendered more than three million farmers dependent on artificial fertilisers and pesticides.

Werie

I think fertilizer application can never be the source of our starvation or what ever. The point is when the Gov started some thing called PACKAGE some years ago, farmers were forced to be part of that package program irrespective of the type of soil, topography, crop, climate....it was for a sole purpose of propaganda and ofcourse many GOV officials were the beneficiaries of the profits made by the fertilizer companies. Not only that the quality of the fertilizer that was being distributed to the farmers was of poor quality. I am a witness to see the granules of DAP in the farmers field after one farming season in N. Gondar and Wello. We were not able even to break it on a rock. The farmers showed us the remains of the fertilizer digging by their hands from the ground. To your surprise, farmers were even forced to apply fertilizers in a very fertile and virgin farm lands. It is not difficult to imagine what the consequences will be.

It is true some farmers living in some parts of the country need heavy doses of fertilizers. I appreciate the success that has been achieved in some pockets of the country like Arsi and Bale. But it is not recommneded by any standard to apply especially N fertilizers in very steep topography and degraded land like in most northern parts of the country. Rather farmers should be promoted to improve their traditional way of farming by other means like using compost. For thiese reasons the farmers are not able to pay off their debts and are crying every time you start talking about fertilizer. This is the reality especially in the North.

So Dr. Belay will tell you what has to be said. He has little control over all these complexities. It is the political parties who play the great role and not the professionals.

Anyway, I am glad to read your opinions. Gagi is very resourceful and keep us informed on each development!! peace!

Ashago

I must say I am deeply impressed by your in depth thought of the subject. Not only that, I am very well convinced your sources are reliable and more appropriate than any of us. I am happy to hear the government has established an institution aimed to promote the appropriate use of fertilizers.

While eagerly waiting to your further input to the discussion, let me say what I think about the article you mentioned above.

I have read the article ‘fertilizer as a cause of famine in Ethiopia’ by Mr. Hailu again. I agree with you the article it is a story of a concerned Ethiopian. One may think the article is not well formulated, but like he said it, the message is simple and clear and the idea to understand. He says, fertilizers are added to soil to stimulate the growth of crops. But when used unwisely, sterilization of soil may result, which is just the opposite what is expected. When such bad practice take place for long time and soil infertility is persistent in wide area, famine could result. He doesn’t know whether it has taken place for long time, or whether it is taking place now. If the answer is yes, he says it must be corrected immediately.

Man, I like his formulation. There is no reason that hinders me to believe that famine could be stimulated as a result of bad use of fertilizers. His story is very alarming. No wonder, his message has reached the wide Ethiopian population including those of us in diaspora. If I am not mistaken, his idea has been broadcasted by German radio (amharic service) in three weekly programs. It has also been felt by many politicians in diaspora. Many of them have incorrectly politicized his idea and used it to blame the government.

From his writing and the timing, I understand Mr. Hailu as person who has been frusrated and angered by the anouncement of famine by the Ethiopian leader (last year). Look at the failures of Ethiopians he has listed at the end of his article. Each point he has mentioned in there is a fact and needs further attention by all of us. Further more, I appreciate his effort and accept his call to do the same like he has done. Following is the call he made to all of us when concluding his article.
Quote:
However, it is not my frustration that I want to convey primarily. By writing this article, I am hoping to reach and encourage others to tell us their practical concerns. Concerns like the incorrect use of fertilizers, a typical and practical human error as the result bad work relationship between professionals and the administrators in regions of Ethiopia. I am sure there are many experts who have similar experience in other fields than agriculture. Well, in this information age, I believe, sometime, somebody, somewhere will read your experience and learn from it, if you publish it. Not only that, but it may be possible for somebody to start where you stopped and solve the problem you encountered.
Thank you.

tulu

How God fertiliz the earth without the use of chemicals fertilizer?

The answer is simple: God use Organic fertilizer method for billion of years... Do you never wounder how a fertile land keeps their fertile soil for million years? The answer relay on nature ability to recycling organic matter.. million years of overgrazing by wild animal did not affected the fertile soil because overgrazing wild animal are responsible for nature way recycling organic matter.

How Natural organic fertilizer recycling organic matter to keep the land fertile.

Again the answer is simple... Whenever a caw or wild animal grazing on grass.. Since the grass need minerals to grow... in way the caw will takes out mineral of the soil whenever they grazing on grass...... If the process stop here the caw or the animal get all the minerals and the soil lose it's all mineral and the grass would have been over eaten and the soil would have been exposed and we would have lose the top soil forever... But the recycling process will not stop here when the animal pass manure... The manure in way give back what it takes from the soil and more... this organic fertilizer keep the top soil in good condition so that a grass grow once more time as if nothing happened... This is a nature way fertilizing itself... Now enter chemicals fertilizer

Chemicals fertilizer used in Ethiopia for last 12 years extensively... if what chemicals fertilizer saleperson say is turth then Ethiopia would have been self safficiant when it comes to food... The fact is Chemicals fertilizer cost money in fact over 100 million of US dollars in loan alone. Some people mistken green revolution for chemicals fertilizer... green revolution work on imporved grain yields not using chemicals fertilizer..

Chemicals fertilizer beside enriching the corrupt policaian it destroy our land and our poor farmer life by making them dependent on costly chemicals fertilizer which make them heavily Indebted to goverment run chemicals fertilizer distributor who have no mercy when it comes to collecting their outstanding... the evil govt. backed chemicals fertilizer distributors doesn't care if the farmers lost their yields this years or not... they force the farmer to pay for their cost of chemicals fertilizer regardless... Many farmers goes to jail because they couldn't afford to pay their loan after their crop faild...

Again this all could have been avoided if the farmers had used organic fertiliezer..

Another benfit of organic fertiliezer on Ethiopia economy

Let assume Ethiopia pay 100million dollars yearly for Chemicals fertilizer... Even chemicals fertilizer is good for the land it would not be good for our economy... as soon as Ethiopia pay for chemicals fetilizer the money will go out of Ethiopia never to be seen again...

On the other hand... If Ethiopia devolped her own organic fertilier trade... then the money send on organic fertilizer would have been recycled within Ethiopia and hence help to improve our economy by increase the purchasing power of our people we would have adderessed most of our problems... Most of us know Ethiopia have countless number of cattles... which means they would have produced a hugy amount of manure.... This hugy amount of maunre in South could have bought by North part of Ethiopia farmers for use as organic fertilier... As of now the Southern part of Ethiopia use Chemicals fertilizer while their a hugy amount of manure wasted... instead of creating wealth for them by trading with it with Norther part where cattle count is less.

I will go head talk about the benfit of organic fertilier but I will end up miserable... Beause I can't force people to listen to me...
If you want to read more about green revolution
http://www.foodfirst.org/media/opeds/2000/4-greenrev.html

Ashago

I also agree with you that pesticides have to be used very cautiously. I understand your concern about toxic chemicals, like DDT. Toxic chemicals when discharged to the environment and get into human food chain and in our biological system they disturb the biochemical processes, leading in some cases to fatal results. As you have clearly said it the biochemical effects of pesticides is well studied. Among the pesticides, the biological action of DDT on the environment is very well known. The central nervous system is the target of DDT, like many other insecticides.

I have no information about the use of pesticides in Ethiopia. However, I think there is some awareness in Ethiopia about the negative effects such pesticides. The time when DDT used to be sprayed on the head of Ethiopians school children to kill louses is gone.

To clarify the basics about the use of fertilizers, I think we have torealize the difference between those type of fertilizers that may cause damage to the soil and health of the people and those that don’t.

The natural organic fertilizers (like manure, vegetable wastes), have been used for thousands of years. Inorganic fertilizers like crushed limestone, gypsum, sulfur and rock phosphate) are also used for long time. It is the manufactured fertilizers (the so called chemical fertilizers) that are the most risky, if not used properly. These are manufactured chemical compounds of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous and sulfur etc. Many of these manufactured fertilizers are soluble and, if not taken up by the plants, are easily leached away and may pollute the down stream water significantly. Particularly, nitrate fertilizers may pose health hazard if excessive nitrates occur in the food, particularly leafy vegetables, and in drinking water.

I want to remind you also the amount of manure produced in Ethiopia is not that high. It is actually scarce. Of course there are abundant cattle. But their waste is used for energy. Very little is left on the field. Thus, chemical fertilizers remain good alternative. The question is how do Ethiopians use it?

Please bear in mind; I am not saying chemical fertilizers are less useful than the organic fertilizers. Both types of fertilizers have advantages as well as disadvantages. The choice as to which type is more applicable in a certain farm area and which one not should be left to those experts in the field. The experts in that field should take the upper hand in deciding which fertilizer to use and when to use it. The politicians should distance themselves from such professional decision.

My point is what ever the type of fertilizer may be applied it must be used very wisely and under good supervision. Apparently, it is only recently that an institution is open that aims to controls the use of fertilizers. However, I am very glad the office is opened. It is better than nothing. The answer to the question of Gagi from the Director of the ‘Agricultural Input Authority’ may make the situation clear to us.

His questions are:
Quote:
i) the establishment, objective and responsibilities of the Authority;
(ii) general features of fertilizers use in Ethiopia;
(iii) planned or implemented programmes to make the production, importation, and distribution of fertilizers environmentally friendly-application of fertilizers according to soil type, training peasant farmers in the appropriate use and application of fertilizers, etc. Dr. Belay Simane asking him to provide us with information regarding:

Tulu, your message is clear. Keep on giving us more information about the pesticide use in Ethiopia and the influence of other foreign organizations and countries.

Werie,

I will come to your point soon, possibly today. I have got to go to work now. Take care

Domnica

One must understand that modern inputs such as chemical fertilisers only pay when private investement with large farmers are flourshing and put in to practice. Application of chemical feritliser in substience and scattred farming is waking like a baby (dade). So the probelm of chemical fertiliser in realtion to the case of Ethiopia could be explained with the following reasons
a political and policy
b. farming system
c. environmental
Thank you!

Ashago

Having said this I would like to pose a couple of questions to you. You said:Quote:

I think fertilizer application can never be the source of our starvation or what ever.

Can you please explain us more how you come to this conclusion? The problem is very serious and you know it. You have seen it yourself. I am eager to know why you said that, while others are saying such a practice might lead to the extinction of the population in the long term. When the soil is irreversibly made poorer by unwise use of fertilizers, and the population growth continues while the production becomes lesser and lesser, I don’t see any reason why famine cannot be caused as the result of it. Another point, you said:Quote:

I appreciate the success that has been achieved in some pockets of the country like Arsi and Bale.

I don’t know which period of production you are talking about but last year, Arsi and Bale, the naturally fertile and richest provinces of Ethiopia have been hit by famine. At least, that was what I have heard in the news of last year. May be I am not well informed about this too. What I know is, these provinces have used considerable amount of fertilizers starting from the time of Derg. Could you please tell us more about the success in these provinces? Quote:
It is the political parties who play the great role and not the professionals.
I completely agree with this point. It is not only in agriculture but in all aspects the politicians/adminstrators take over the control very easily. Everything is politicized. If you are not a member of any political party your input is not appreciated. Such attitude have been there since the time of Derg. It is also there at this moment. Even the little politicians at medrek are not out of this attitude. You cannot be free of politics. This disturbs me always. Have you experienced it yourself recently? I mean in relation to the facts you mentioend above. Thank you. Domnica, I don't know if I have to discuss with you. I guess we have to make a things clear between us, after all that nuissances. Anyway welcome to this topic. I hope this time we will have a healthy discussion. I will come to your points later on.
Bye for now

werie

with regard to Arsi and Bali, indeed there was starvation but they were hit by drought hence fertilizer was not the case.

I think the gov should focus on harnessing the many rivers that we have and we should by any means stop depending on rainfall. We have more than enough resources to do this if there is a willingness from the gov side. We even don't have to cry day in and out about abay. The gov should focus on developing an infrastructure at a very simple level. We don't have to look for giant dams like aswan or the likes. We do have the potential to develop small scale irrigation projects across the country. We have to privatize land and we should be able to transfer people to fertile areas of the country irrespective of their ethnic background. The country should start to function as a whole. The gov is using the land as a political tool to impose its own will and nothing else. So we can see development in just a couple of years.

hope I have answered some of the points you raised.

Highly apprecaited your interst in this area. Keep it up!!

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