Oumer Ali M, Diro Samuel, Taye Geremew, Mamo Tadele, Jaleta Moti
Holetta Agricultural Research Centre (HARC), Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), P.O. Box 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Rue Hedi Karray, CP 2049, Ariana, Tunis, Tunisia.
Soil Secur. 2023 Jun;11:None. doi: 10.1016/j.soisec.2023.100092.
Soil acidity is challenging agricultural production in Ethiopia. Above 43% of the farmland is under soil acidity problem and it leads to low crop yields and production losses. Ag-lime is widely considered as an effective remedy for amending soil acidity. This study assesses the current structure of ag-lime value chain and its functionality focusing on central parts of Ethiopia where lime is produced and channeled to acidity affected areas. The study uses Ethiopia as a case study and applies qualitative methods such as key informant interviews and focus group discussions to collect data from different actors in the ag-lime value chain. Key findings indicate that both public and private ag-lime producing factories are operating below their capacity. Due to limited enabling environments, the engagement of private sector in ag-lime value chain is minimal. In addition, farmers have a good awareness of soil acidity problem on their farms, and its causes and mitigation strategies in all regions. However, the adoption of ag-lime by smallholders was minimal. Overall, the current structure of the ag-lime value chain appears fragmented and needs improvement. Addressing soil acidity challenge through efficient ag-lime value chain could narrow lime supply-demand mismatches and increase widespread adoption by farmers to enhance crop productivity and food security in acidity-prone areas of the country.
土壤酸度对埃塞俄比亚的农业生产构成挑战。超过43%的农田存在土壤酸度问题，这导致作物产量低下和生产损失。农业石灰被广泛认为是改善土壤酸度的有效补救措施。本研究评估了农业石灰价值链的当前结构及其功能，重点关注埃塞俄比亚中部石灰生产并输送到受酸度影响地区的区域。该研究以埃塞俄比亚为案例研究，并应用关键信息人访谈和焦点小组讨论等定性方法，从农业石灰价值链中的不同行为主体收集数据。主要研究结果表明，公共和私营农业石灰生产厂的运营均未达到其产能。由于有利环境有限，私营部门在农业石灰价值链中的参与度很低。此外，农民对其农场的土壤酸度问题及其在所有地区的成因和缓解策略有很好的认识。然而，小农户对农业石灰的采用率很低。总体而言，农业石灰价值链的当前结构似乎分散，需要改进。通过高效的农业石灰价值链应对土壤酸度挑战，可以缩小石灰供需不匹配的问题，并增加农民的广泛采用，以提高该国酸度易发地区的作物生产力和粮食安全。
