The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture and development partners, is conducting a series of farmer field days across Southern Ethiopia from November 4 to 6, 2026, to promote innovative and cost-effective approaches to soil health management and fertilizer application.
The initiative brings together several development organizations, including Precision Development, People In Need, Inter Aid France, Sodo Catholic, Self Help Africa, Farm Africa and ERSHA, to raise awareness among farming communities about practical solutions that can improve agricultural productivity while reducing production costs.
The farmer field days provide an opportunity for farmers to learn about and experience science-based approaches to soil fertility management, appropriate fertilizer application and improved crop production practices.
Through practical demonstrations and knowledge-sharing sessions, farmers are being encouraged to adopt fertilizer advisory recommendations tailored to their specific farming needs.
A key innovation being promoted during the field days is the AFER_LERSHA (Soil for Farm) Telegram Bot, a digital advisory application designed to provide farmers with information and recommendations on appropriate fertilizer use based on their individual agricultural needs.
The digital tool aims to bridge the gap between agricultural research and practical farming by making relevant, science-based fertilizer recommendations more accessible to farmers.
By leveraging digital technology, farmers can make informed decisions, optimize fertilizer application and use available resources more efficiently.
Through these innovations, farmers are achieving better yields at reduced costs, demonstrating the value of combining research-driven recommendations, digital advisory services and practical agricultural solutions.
The initiative underscores the importance of strengthening collaboration between research institutions, government agencies and development partners in addressing challenges related to soil health, fertilizer efficiency and agricultural productivity.
By bringing innovative technologies and practical advisory services closer to farming communities, ICRISAT and its partners seek to improve farm-level productivity, strengthen rural livelihoods and support the development of more resilient and sustainable farming systems across Southern Ethiopia.
The ongoing field days also highlight the role of farmer-centered approaches in ensuring that agricultural innovations translate into tangible benefits, empowering farmers to make better-informed decisions and build more productive and resilient agricultural livelihoods.
Photo by @ICRISAT
