Vertisol technology for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia

Abstract

Discusses inter-institutional collaboration undertaken in order to overcome the waterlogging constraint on vertisols of highland Ethiopia. Presents vertisol technology package for increasing crop and livestock productivity, and implemented by the joint project; good seedbed preparation, an animal-drawn broadbed maker, improved crop varieties, fertilizer use and early planting. In addition, a description of the broadbed maker, cropping options for drained vertisols and the results from on-farm verification sites are presented. Emphasizes on the promotion of the vertisol technology, the need for inputs and credit provision. Discusses a collaborative approach involving the Ministry of Agriculture, OXFAM US and ILCA in extending the vertisols technology to a large number of smallholder farmers.