Ethiopia Receives Fertilizer Shipment Amid Ongoing Conflicts and Distribution Challenges

Ethiopia has received 12 million quintals of fertilizer, representing 52% of the total 23 million quintals ordered for the 2024 harvest season. The shipment arrived at the Port of Djibouti as part of the government's plan to procure nearly twice the amount of fertilizer imported in the previous harvesting season.

The Ethiopian Agricultural Businesses Corporation (EABC) reported that 11.7 million quintals of the arrived fertilizers have already been transported into Ethiopia and are being distributed to farmers through agricultural cooperatives and unions. This fiscal year, the procurement and distribution of fertilizers commenced much earlier compared to previous harvesting seasons.

Why this matters: The timely distribution of fertilizers is vital for Ethiopia's food security and the livelihoods of its small-scale farmers, who are already struggling with internal conflicts, displacement, and humanitarian crises. The success of this fertilizer shipment could have a significant impact on the country's agricultural sector and the well-being of its citizens. The success of this fertilizer shipment could have a significant impact on the country's agricultural sector and the well-being of its citizens.

Despite the arrival of the vital agricultural input, ongoing conflicts in regions like Amhara are disrupting its delivery to small-scale farmers. Tesfaw Batable, head of the Amhara Disaster Prevention and Food Security Program Coordinating Commission, stated,"The conflict has led to restrictions on people's movement, resulting in delays in the distribution of vital agricultural inputs and food grains."

Ethiopia is struggling to cope with internal conflicts, displacement, and humanitarian crises, which have affected the country's agricultural sector. The Amhara Region Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, and Redevelopment Fund Office (ARRFO) is working to address thehumanitarian crisisin the region, where hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) are struggling to access basic necessities, including food and shelter.

Regions like Tigray, Wag-Hemra, and Afar are also experiencing significant displacement and humanitarian challenges. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that there are 2.72 million internally displaced people in Ethiopia. Organizations, including the Oromia Physicians Association (OPA) and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), are working to provide aid and support to IDPs.

Last year, the timely delivery of fertilizers to small-scale farmers was marred by significant disruptions, leading to widespread demonstrations throughout the nation. Farmers also face challenges in affording the soaring prices of fertilizers, which reached a maximum of 12,000 birr per quintal last year.

The Benishangul Gumuz region has budgeted 2.5 million USD from the World Bank to support IDP returnees. As Ethiopia continues to overcome the challenges posed by internal conflicts and displacement, the timely distribution of vital agricultural inputs like fertilizer remains pivotal for the country's food security and the livelihoods of its small-scale farmers.

Key Takeaways

• Ethiopia receives 12 million quintals of fertilizer, 52% of total order.
• 11.7 million quintals already transported to Ethiopia and distributed to farmers.
• Timely fertilizer distribution crucial for food security and small-scale farmers.
• Ongoing conflicts in regions like Amhara disrupt fertilizer delivery to farmers.
• 2.72 million internally displaced people in Ethiopia, affecting agricultural sector.