Ethiop. J. Crop Sci. Vol 11 No.

1, 2023

Fertilizer Use Trends for Major Ethiopian

Crops by Smallholder Farmers
Bizuwork Tafes Desta, Almaz Meseret Gezahegn,
Alemayehu Zemede and Sisay Eshetu Tesma
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Debre Zeit Center, P. O. Box 32, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia;
Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract
Fertilizer is one of the most important inputs for increasing crop yields and it has been
utilized for decades in Ethiopia's agricultural sectors. The trends in fertilizer uses by
smallholder farmers from 2004/05 to 2020/21 ‘Meher’ cropping season for the field and
horticultural crops at national and regional levels were assessed. Data on the total number of
households, the number of households that applied each type of fertilizer, the area treated
with each type of fertilizer (organic and inorganic), and the total area sown to each crop were
obtained for each cropping season and each crop type from the annual report on farm
management practices by the Central Statistical Agency (CSA) of Ethiopia. The compounded
annual growth rate (CAGR) of fertilizer applicators and the area treated with fertilizer for
each crop was estimated using the exponential trend model and a semi-logarithm trend
function. The results revealed that the CAGRs for the number of households who applied
inorganic fertilizers on each of the major cereal crops and the area of each particular crop
treated with inorganic fertilizer, on most crops, were showed positive trends at national and
regional levels, indicating an increasing trend in inorganic fertilizer application. At the
national level, the number of households who applied inorganic fertilizer on major cereal (tef,
wheat, sorghum, maize, and barley) crops increased with CAGR of 9.33 to 19.65% UREA,
7.35 to 18.96% DAP/NPS, and 10.90 to 17.34% DAP/NPS + UREA fertilizer. Similarly, areas
fertilized with Urea, DAP/NPS, and combined use of DAP/NPS and UREA fertilizer had
increases in CAGR of 6.14 to 20.38%, 6.94 to 21.64%, and 10.01 to 37.59%, respectively.
Thus, large number of households and areas were fertilized with DAP/NPS + UREA fertilizer
in wheat, tef and maize than barley and sorghum from 2004/05 to 2020/21. In contrast, the
trend was decreased significantly for the number of households who applied organic fertilizer
from 2004/05 to the 2020/21 cropping season. The CAGR for the household that applied
organic and inorganic fertilizers and the area treated with those fertilizers were not evenly
distributed among crops and regions; however, all types of fertilizer were applied almost in
tef, wheat, sorghum, maize, and barley crops at regional levels. The proportion of households
applying DAP/NPS + UREA fertilizer to the major cereal crops between 2004/05 to 2020/21
the cropping seasons was also higher than those applying organic, UREA, and DAP/NPS
fertilizer alone. For instance, the average proportions of the households applying DAP/NPS +
UREA to wheat, tef, and maize were greater than to barley and sorghum. In terms of region, it
was observed that, the percentages of households who applied DAP/NPS + UREA for tef,
wheat, and maize were higher in Tigray, followed by Amhara, SNNPR, and Oromia. In
general, the application of inorganic fertilizer has increased, but not organic fertilizer despite
the benefits of using organic fertilizer. Therefore, the paper gives insights into the trend of
using more inorganic fertilizer than organic fertilizer based on the number of household and
area coverage at the national and regional levels in Ethiopia.

Keywords: Compound annual growth rate, field crops, horticultural crops,

organic fertilizer, inorganic fertilizer

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 Ethiop. J. Crop Sci. Vol 11 No.1, 2023

Introduction produced an average of 0.5 million

tons of oil seeds yearly i.e. three
percent of total annual production in
Agriculture is the dominant and
the season. In addition, horticultural
pertinent sector of Ethiopia’s
crops like vegetables and root crops
economy. It accounts for 33% of GDP,
together were also cultivated on 281
66% of employment, and 76% of the
thousand hectares, 2.6% of the area
exports of the country (ATI, 2022).
cultivated (CSA, 2021). Thus, field
The country comprises the crop,
and horticultural crops are produced
animal farming, forestry, and fishery
and critical to smallholder (a small
sub-sectors, which account for 61.1%,
farm operating farmers under a small-
26.0%, 8.6%, and 0.2%,
scale agriculture model) livelihoods in
respectively, of the total agricultural
Ethiopia. Yet, the current productivity
production (NBE, 2021). Crop
of both field and horticultural crops
production had a lion’s share in
falls significantly below the potential
agriculture and the total land
yield (Diriba et al., 2020; Gebissa,
cultivated area reached 13.0 million
2021). The productivity of wheat,
hectares, of which cereals production
maize, sorghum, and common bean in
accounted for 71.19% (CSA,
Ethiopia were about 26.8, 19.7, 29.3,
2020/21). Of the cultivated crops, five
and 35.5% of their potential under
major cereals (Tef, Wheat, Maize,
water-limited environment of Ethiopia
Sorghum, and Barley) are the core of
in respective order (Belachew et al.,
Ethiopia’s agriculture and food
2022).
economy, accounting for about three-
quarters of the total area cultivated,
In Ethiopia, soil nutrient deficiency
29% of agricultural GDP and 14% of
was attributed for low yield potential
total GDP and about 64.5% of calories
of the crops. Studies showed that the
consumed (NBE, 2021).
majority of soils in smallholder fields
are nutrient deplete (Amare et
Pulses are the second most important
al., 2005). There are several causes for
cultivated crop next to cereals in terms
soil nutrient depletion in Ethiopia
of area coverage. In the 2020/21
including, limited application of
cropping season, a million holders
organic fertilizers like crop residues
produced pulses on 12.9% of the total
and manure due to competitive uses of
area cultivated (CSA, 2021). Total
animal feed and household energy
pulse production averaged 1.6 million
(Belachew and Abera, 2010; Elias,
tons per year, which is 8.5% of total
2016). In the country, the amount of
crop production. Oil seeds were the
inorganic fertilizer applied per unit
third most important crop cultivated
area in cereals is also very small (36.2
on 5.9% total area of land by 3.1
kg/ha) compared to Kenya (65.2
million holders (CSA, 2021). They
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 Ethiop. J. Crop Sci. Vol 11 No.1, 2023

kg/ha), Latin America (86 kg/ha), tons in the early 1990s to about
South Asia (104 kg/ha), Southeast 650,000 tons in 2012 (Endale, 2010;
Asia (142 kg/ha) in in Europe and Asfaw et al., 2022). The recent
USA (288 kg/ha) (FAO, 2020). increase in importing of inorganic
fertilizer has been largely driven by
In many developing countries, the Growth and Transformation
agricultural development policies have Program (Mideksa and Dessalegn,
resulted in increased use of inorganic 2020). This was illustrated by the
fertilizers as a means to increase sharp increase in fertilizer imports,
agricultural production (World Bank, which jumped from 440,000 tons in
2009). Thus, inorganic fertilizers like 2008 to 890,000 tons in 2012 (Endale,
UREA (46% N) and diammonium 2010) although, the average fertilizer
phosphate (DAP: 18% N, 46% use per unit area in the country is still
P2O5) are primarily used in cereal low. According to Shahidur et al.
production in Ethiopia. According to (2013), only 30-40 percent of
Central Statistical Agency report Ethiopian smallholder farmers use
(CSA, 2004 and 2021), cereals about 37-40 kilograms per hectare,
account for 87% to 84.37% of the which was below the recommended
country’s total inorganic fertilizer rates (Endale, 2010).
application. It is also used for pulse,
oil seed, vegetables, and root crops In terms of the application of fertilizer
and accounts for 3.7 to 3.44%, 2.7 to rate per hectare of cultivated lands, the
4.98%, 1.6 to 0.75%, and 1.9 to period (2004/05 to 2020/21) showed
2.32%, respectively. But in Ethiopia, an increasing trend. For instance, at
not only inorganic fertilizers but also, the national level application of Urea,
organic fertilizers, improved crop DAP/NPS, and Urea + DAP/NPS
varieties, and agronomic practices are fertilizers on tef, wheat, maize,
some of the dominant inputs that are sorghum, and barley crops increased
used to increase crop production by more than 50%. Although the
(Getachew and Aune, 2018). application rate per hectare indicated
remarkable increases, still lower than
The growing of fertilizer use was the research recommendation for all
reported for more than four decades major crops. According to (Asfaw et
following the introduction of fertilizer al., 2022) the reported that the
under the Freedom from application of fertilizer has shown a
Hunger program in the late 1960s. The steady upward increase since the year
total amount of fertilizer used 2012 for most cereal crops. Fertilizer
increased at decreasing rate in the application rate has increased by 64%,
early 1970, from 3,500 tons to only 52%, 44%, 40%, 32%, and 8% for
about 34,000 tons in 1985. In contrast, rice, maize, wheat, teff, finger-millet
the trend was increasing from 140,000 and barley respectively over the period
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 Ethiop. J. Crop Sci. Vol 11 No.1, 2023

from 2015 to 2020. On the other hand, Materials and Methods

the application of fertilizer has
decreased by 38%, 6% for sorghum
Description of Administrate
and oats respectively. These increases
could arise because farmers stagnated Regions and Crop Growing
in the monoculture cropping system. Seasons
Thus, farmers have been forced to Ethiopia is administratively divided
shift from cereal-legume- into four levels: regions, zones,
based cropping to cereals-cereals and woredas (districts), and kebeles
cereals-bulb crops such as tef-wheat, (wards) (Mulatu, 2017; Mappr, 2019).
tef-maize, wheat-onion, and tef-onion As of 2022, the country comprised of
rotation systems. These cereals and twelve regions and two city
bulb crops are more utilized soil administrations. Among all four
nutrients and leading to deficient soil regions of the country namely; Tigray,
nutrients. As a result of these, farmers Amahara, Oromia and South Nation
are used more chemical fertilizers. Nationality, and Peoples (SNNP),
These facts raise concerns in the which reflects about 95 to 99%
public and highlight the need to cereals, pulse, oil seed, vegetables, and
examine trends in fertilizers usage, root crops produced of the country,
which have not been assessed before at were considered to conduct the study
both national and regional levels. for major crops. Both organic fertilizer
(farmyard manure and wood ashes)
and inorganic fertilizers DAP (Di-
This study sought to fill this Ammonium phosphate) and/or NPS
information gap by answering the and Urea (Ammonium Nitrate) were
following question: how can the trends considered for the study.
of organic fertilizer and inorganic
fertilizer uses and give direction for In Ethiopia, most crops are grown
sustainable and improved organic primarily during a longer rainy season
fertilizer and inorganic fertilizers uses. (Meher) which usually starts in (June
Therefore, the objective of this study to August and is harvested time from
was to assess the trend of organic September to February). The short
fertilizer and inorganics fertilizers rains Belg (sowing time February to
used during Meher season in the field March and harvesting time June to
and horticultural crops grown by September) are less reliable to grow
smallholder farmers in Ethiopia crops in most parts of the country.
Because of this, trends in fertilizer use
for Belg season were not analyzed.
Thus, in this study, only the rainy
(Meher) season fertilizer application
by smallholder farmers (a small farm
operating farmers under a small-scale
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 Ethiop. J. Crop Sci. Vol 11 No.1, 2023

agriculture model) was considered. analyses revealed the presence of first

Besides, the analysis focuses solely on and second-order serial autocorrelation
fertilizers applied to major field crops (regardless of the significance level)
(Tef, wheat, sorghum, maize and and a non-linear relationship between
barely) at both national and regional time and all the variables mentioned
levels because of consolidated national above. Consequently, the compounded
and regional data. However, pulse annual growth rate (CAGR) of
crops, oil seeds, vegetables, and root fertilizer use was estimated by
crops were analyzed solely at national transforming the exponential trend
bases because data at regional levels model (Yi = ixi) to a semi-logarithm
were not consolidating. In the trend function, which is Log10Yi = b0 +
application of fertilizer to fields and b1Xi.
horticultural crops in Ethiopia, the
entire DAP/NPS fertilizer was applied Where Yi = a number of households,
full dose at sowing, whereas nitrogen households who applied fertilizer on a
fertilizer was applied in two splits (1/3 particular crop, the area under a
at sowing and 2/3 at tillering about 21 particular crop or area treated with
to 30 days after sowing) through the fertilizer in year Xi; b0 is the mean
application of Urea. The application of number of households, households
organic fertilizers was applied 20 to 30 who applied fertilizer, the area under a
days before crop sowing. particular crop or area treated with
fertilizer in the 2004/05 crop season;
Data Collection Approach and b1 the parameter that measures the
Analysis CAGR per annum. A trend is detected
Data on the total number of when the b1 is significantly different
households, the number of households from zero (Gerrodette, 1987). Since
who applied organic and inorganic the exponential trend model was used,
fertilizers, the total area sown, and the b1 was converted to CAGR (%) as (10
b1
area treated with natural, inorganic and -1) x 100. As indicated before,
mixed fertilizers used at both national because of the presence of variable
and regional level were obtained from levels of first and second-order serial
the Central Statistical Agency (CSA, autocorrelation, each datum set was
2004/05 to 2020/2021) of Ethiopia. analyzed using Proc Autoreg of SAS.
Each datum set was graphed to Furthermore, the percentage of the
generate a time plot to visualize and area treated with or the percentage of
investigate if there is any pattern that households who applied fertilizer in
exists over time. In addition, Durbin- any one year was calculated as 100 *
Watson Statistic was used as a (total cropped area treated or total
criterion to detect serial households who applied
autocorrelation. These preliminary fertilizer)/(total cropped area or a total
number of households who grow that
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 Ethiop. J. Crop Sci. Vol 11 No.1, 2023

particular crop). In some cases, and regional levels (Tables 1 and 2).
particularly for pulse crops, However, the number of barley grower
vegetables, oil crops, and root crops, households at national, and the total
data at regional levels were area under barley both at regional and
unavailable for some years because of national levels and sorghum at
the high coefficient of variation and SNNPR region were showed a
missed. In such cases, the CAGR was decreasing trend (Tables 1 and 2). At
estimated only in the national wide. the national level, maize grower
households and the area sown to maize
Results was greater than tef, wheat, and
sorghum and exhibited an increasing
Trends in Fertilizer Use on trend (Table 1 and 2). Likewise, at
Major Cereal Crops regional levels, maize grower
households and the area sown to maize
The major cereal crops produced in
increased in Oromia and followed by
almost all regions of the country were
Amhara regions. Similarly, between
tef (Eragrostis tef.), wheat (bread and
2004/05 and 2020/21 crop season, the
durum wheat types), sorghum
total number of households who grew
(Sorghum bicolor), maize (Zea mays),
tef, sorghum, and barely and the total
and barley (both the variety which can
area sown to tef, wheat sorghum and
be used for food and malt processing),
barely had greater in the Oromia
despite the variation in the volume of
region. However, the total number of
production and productivity. Between
households who grew wheat was more
the 2004/05 and 2020/21 cropping
significantly higher in the Amhara
seasons, the total number of
region (Tables 1 and 2) than other
households that grew and the total area
regions.
under each major cereal crop had
significantly increased at both national
Table 1. Number of households who grew major cereal crops in 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop seasons in the main crop
producer regions of Ethiopia

Tef Wheat Sorghum Mazie Barley

Region/
National 2004/05 2020/21 2004/05 2020/21 2004/05 2020/21 2004/05 2020/21 2004/05 2020/21
Tigray 395681 633525 287946 386778 270380 558917 394632 835782 370776 419786
Amhara 1839987 2703282 1252127 1906639 895059 1191608 1780595 2978454 1475667 1290159
Oromia 1822436 2861364 1722661 1832546 1782165 2321488 3089557 5205203 1427362 1509055
SNNP 767677 1224860 626620 761835 549905 562834 1199744 1372318 597800 789117
Ethiopia 4857682 6866855 3937682 4579491 3674865 4323086 6677356 10189355 3902139 3738220

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Table 2. Area (ha) sown to major cereal crops in 2004/05 and 2020/21 cropping seasons in main crop producer regions of Ethiopia

Region/
Tef Wheat Sorghum Maize Barley
National
2004/05 2020/21 2004/05 2020/21 2004/05 2020/21 2004/05 2020/21 2004/05 2020/21
Tigray 137360 188392 87785 102258 142038 232636 47200 80152 95453 85432
Amhara 852307 1086375 392722 641170 411949 597441 285242 595086 375912 311401
Oromia 918461 1393456 765528 996364 522499 676075 791686 1371868 532141 440702
SNNP 210055 234351 131485 147641 92009 62926 207410 313799 84936 75440
Ethiopia 2135553 2928206 1398215 1897405 1253620 1679277 1392916 2526212 1095436 926107

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Organic Fertilizer Use Trends wheat and barley between 2004/and

on Major Cereal Crops 2020/21.
According to the Central Statistical
Agency of Ethiopia (CSA) definition, Nationally the CAGRs for the number
organic fertilizer is characterized as of household and use of organic
the fertilizer that consists of the farm fertilizer per unit were increased in all
yard manure and wood ashes (CSA, region of the country (Table 3).
2004 to 2021). At national level, the Between 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop
CAGRs for the number of households season, the proportion of organic
who applied organic fertilizer on each fertilizer applicator households and the
of the major cereal crop and the area proportion of organic fertilizer treated
coverage with organic fertilizer were area on major cereal crops were
positive; indicating that the trend was decreased in all regions and in the
increased for the major crops (Table country (Tables 4 and 5). With the
3). only exception of these decreasing, the
proportions of organic fertilizer treated
Overall, an increasing trend was area were positive and increasing of
observed on average number of tef area in the Tigray region (Table 5).
households who applied organic Generally, between 2004/05 and
fertilizer for maize and sorghum than 2020/21 crop season, larger
tef, wheat, barley crops from 2004/05 proportions of households who grew
to 2020/21 crop season (Table 4). cereal crop and area treated with
Similarly, the area coverage of organic fertilizer in the regions and in
sorghum and maize treated with the country were decreased use of
organic fertilizer were more than tef, organic fertilizer on major cereal
crops.

Table 3. Compounded annual growth rate (%) of households who applied organic fertilizers on and organic fertilizer
treated area of major cereal crops between 2004/05 and 2020/21 cropping seasons in different regions of
Ethiopia

Region/ Tef Wheat Sorghum Maize Barely

National
HWNF ATNF HWNF ATNF HWNF ATNF HWNF ATNF HWNF ATNF
Tigray 5.63 -0.99 2.32 0.87 6.89 3.89 8.18 6.54 -6.11 -7.87
Amhara 10.46 5.37 5.74 4.39 9.77 9.07 7.49 5.53 6.29 5.97
Oromia 8.31 5.26 5.79 5.55 10.99 8.11 9.45 7.68 7.98 5.78
SNNP 6.39 2.19 2.11 -0.69 8.68 7.05 7.14 5.06 -2.12 -5.74
Ethiopia 4.94 2.97 4.32 1.76 8.11 7.68 6.25 5.12 5.04 3.53
HWOF= Holders who applied natural fertilizer, ATNF= Area treated with natural fertilizer

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Table 4. Proportion (%) of households who applied natural fertilizer on major cereal crops in 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop
seasons
Region/ Tef Wheat Sorghum Maize Barely
National 2004/05 2020/21 2004/05 2020/21 2004/05 2020/21 2004/05 2020/21 2004/05 2020/21
Tigray 1.08 2.61 21.27 8.55 29.82 18.17 73.51 39.51 28.17 13.66
Amhara 6.17 2.06 10.83 3.02 9.93 9.65 37.00 10.02 18.73 15.12
Oromia 2.62 2.40 3.51 1.36 13.22 12.65 23.95 13.25 9.35 6.78
SNNP 2.54 2.49 10.93 7.20 10.30 8.31 17.70 15.78 22.59 14.00
Ethiopia 4.58 2.45 7.53 2.80 13.31 11.16 26.98 13.17 15.32 10.77

Table 5. The proportion of area of major cereal crops treated with organic fertilizer in 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop season

Region/ Tef Wheat Sorghum Maize Barely

National 2004/05 2020/21 2004/05 2020/21 2004/05 2020/21 2004/05 2020/21 2004/05 2020/21
Tigray 18.80 5.74 40.45 16.29 45.17 26.71 74.88 46.61 45.23 22.11
Amhara 13.52 5.01 25.35 8.46 18.94 17.39 65.47 31.64 35.13 26.06
Oromia 17.56 5.36 12.12 5.05 22.60 20.48 47.01 33.99 21.75 20.53
SNNP 6.25 6.51 18.39 9.50 23.44 22.32 45.71 28.02 30.02 20.64
Ethiopia 10.53 5.99 19.52 8.56 23.14 22.43 23.15 20.44 52.84 35.50

Urea Fertilizer Use Trends on were higher than tef, sorghum and
Major Cereal Crops barley (Table 6).
Consumption of Urea is one of the
vital inputs in increasing crop At regional level, large amount of
productivity and its utilization should Urea per household per unit area were
be carried out at the farm level. applied in Tigray region which was
Between 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop higher compared to the national
season, the result of CAGRs showed average. It was followed by Amhara,
that the number of households who Oromia and SNNP (Table 6). Besides
applied Urea for the major cereal crop on crops, the CAGR for Urea per
and the area coverage of crops households per unit area were greater
fertilized in Urea was positive at both in wheat and maize than tef, sorghum
national and regional levels (Table 6). and barley crops in Tigray region
There was a decreasing and negative (Table 6). Similarly, the CAGRs of
trend in the use of Urea on barley in Urea utilization was per households
the SNNP region (Table 6). At the was greater for tef and wheat in
national level, the amount of Urea Amhara, and maize in Oromia regions
used on tef, wheat, maize and barely (Table 6).
was more than the rate for sorghum at
household level (Table 6). The amount Besides, between 2004/05 and
of Urea applied for wheat and maize 2020/21 of cropping season, on
average, the proportion of households

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 Ethiop. J. Crop Sci. Vol 11 No.1, 2023

who applied Urea fertilizer and the sorghum and maize than tef, wheat
proportion of area treated with Urea and barley crops in Tigray region
fertilizer on tef, wheat and maize in (Table 6). On the other hand, the
Oromia and SNNP were greater than proportion of households who applied
Tigray and Amhara regions (Tables 7 Urea fertilizer and the proportion of
and 8). But, in terms of crop, the area treated by the households with
proportions of the area treated with Urea fertilizer in each of major cereal
Urea fertilizer were greater on crop were negligible (Tables 7 and 8).

Table 6. Compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) (%) of households who applied Urea fertilizers applied on crops and
the total area treated with Urea fertilizer on major cereal crops between 2004/05 and 2020/21 cropping seasons

Region/ Tef Wheat Sorghum Maize Barely

National
HWAF ATUF HWAF ATUF HWAF ATUF HWAF ATUF HWAF ATUF
Tigray
16.29 15.58 26.80 27.05 19.35 16.49 24.47 20.79 19.37 15.36
Amhara
13.84 7.12 20.28 24.40 8.99 6.66 6.08 1.26 8.15 24.03
Oromia
9.94 9.83 19.94 20.52 7.55 6.26 14.00 12.59 8.21 6.28
SNNP
6.92 4.78 9.11 26.98 2.43 10.03 7.12 4.46 -4.94 4.00
Ethiopia
19.65 9.53 18.72 20.38 9.33 6.14 15.69 14.44 13.59 13.28
HWUF= Holders who applied Urea fertilizer, ATUF= Area treated with Urea

Table 7. Proportion (%) of households who applied inorganic (Urea) fertilizer on major cereal crops in 2004/05 and
2020/21 crop seasons
Region/ Tef Wheat Sorghum Maize Barely
National 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/
05 21 05 21 05 21 05 21 05 21
Tigray 2.33 2.17 4.00 6.85 1.36 7.17 1.56 2.61 4.52 8.28
Amhara 5.52 8.12 5.20 3.62 0.04 1.53 9.70 1.28 4.34 6.46
Oromia 13.63 7.84 45.52 25.70 1.40 4.46 8.38 14.18 3.42 3.67
SNNP 25.77 25.92 40.86 5.37 2.46 2.42 22.46 7.72 2.35 1.22
Ethiopia 3.09 3.16 2.33 2.37 0.75 3.95 1.44 2.95 0.61 2.72

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Table 8. The proportion of area of major cereal crops treated with inorganic (Urea) fertilizer in 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop
season

HWDF= Holders who applied DAP/NPS fertilizer, ATDF= Area treated with DAP/NPS
Region/ Tef Wheat Sorghum Maize Barely
National
HWDF ATDF HWDF ATDF HWDF ATDF HWDF ATDF HWDF ATDF
Tigray 16.43 18.08 16.49 10.83 37.67 34.47 29.26 26.93 19.10 14.24
Amhara 38.08 48.29 11.23 6.36 30.24 36.71 21.76 21.01 22.28 23.11
Oromia 13.98 15.11 8.55 7.86 14.35 22.14 11.22 14.22 7.99 2.47
SNNP 13.68 16.51 3.57 1.00 26.98 15.64 12.00 14.62 4.55 5.90
Ethiopia 9.77 9.96 8.88 6.94 18.96 21.64 13.44 13.61 7.35 12.30

DAP/NPS Fertilizer Use maize and wheat in the Tigray and

Trends on Major Cereal Crops were greater than the national average
The CAGR’s of the number of and the corresponding CAGR values
households who applied DAP/NPS Oromia and SNNP regions (Table 9).
fertilizer on each of major cereals (tef,
wheat, sorghum, maize and barely) The proportion of households who
and the proportions of the area of each applied DAP/NPS fertilizer in each
of these crops treated with DAP/NPS major cereals crop had increased
fertilizer are presented in Table 9. (Table 10). Thus, at national level,
Thus, between 2004/05 and 2020/21 between 2004/05 and 2020/21 cope
crop season, the CAGRs for the season, the proportions of DAP/NPS
number of households who applied user households on tef, wheat and
DAP/NPS fertilizer on each of the maize, and barely on the average, were
major cereal crop and the area of each greater than the proportions of
particular crop treated with DAP/NPS DAP/NPS user households on
fertilizer showed positive trends at sorghum (Table 10). However, the
both national and regional levels, proportion of DAP/NPS treated area
which indicate an increasing were on the average greater on barely
DAP/NPS fertilizers use trends in the than tef, wheat, sorghum and maize
production of these major cereal crops crops (Table 11). These indicate that,
(Table 9). At national level, the larger proportions of barely area were
CAGRs for the number of households treated with DAP/NPS fertilizer than
who applied DAP/NPS fertilizer and which inorganic fertilizer. On the other
area treated by this fertilizer on hand, at regional level, the proportion
sorghum was greater than tef, wheat, of households who applied DAP/NPS
maize and barely crops (Table 9). fertilizer in each major cereals crop
However, DAP/NPS fertilizer user and the proportions of the area of each
households and area treated with of these crops treated with DAP/NPS
DAP/NPS fertilizers of tef, sorghum fertilizer were negligible (Tables 10
and barely in the Amhara region, and 11).
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Table 9. Compounded annual growth rate (%) of households who applied DAP/NPS fertilizers on and DAP/NPS fertilizer
treated area of major cereal crops between 2004/05 and 2020/21 cropping seasons in different regions of
Ethiopia

Region/ Tef Wheat Sorghum Maize Barely

National 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/
05 21 05 21 05 21 05 21 05 21
Tigray 0.69 0.96 0.96 1.04 0.39 6.20 1.26 5.73 2.49 5.33
Amhara 2.55 1.35 1.00 0.54 0.47 6.21 6.13 2.37 0.63 4.35
Oromia 0.79 1.40 0.90 1.43 1.99 2.62 8.36 2.37 1.26 2.70
SNNP 0.27 0.65 0.22 0.05 0.18 1.20 3.16 1.16 1.10 1.25
Ethiopia 20.48 17.91 30.61 15.98 0.97 3.99 10.19 9.35 20.36 23.01

Table 10. Proportion (%) of households who applied DAP/NPS fertilizer on major cereal crops in 2004/05 and 2020/21
crop seasons

Region/ Tef Wheat Sorghum Maize Barely

National 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/
05 21 05 21 05 21 05 21 05 21
Tigray 4.38 3.92 3.28 6.12 0.39 6.20 1.26 5.73 2.49 5.33
Amhara 6.13 5.50 3.92 3.45 0.47 6.21 2.37 8.36 0.63 4.35
Oromia 2.22 3.71 2.50 3.76 1.99 2.62 2.37 3.16 1.26 2.70
SNNP 1.43 2.25 1.79 3.51 0.18 2.30 1.16 2.04 1.10 1.25
Ethiopia 21.17 22.48 21.97 16.19 1.89 6.45 8.99 11.63 16.08 21.30

Table11. The proportion of area of major cereal crops treated with DAP/NPS in 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop season
Region/ Tef Wheat Sorghum Maize Barely
National 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/
05 21 05 21 05 21 05 21 05 21
Tigray 5.86 9.27 5.34 6.48 2.06 8.91 1.23 2.95 3.45 6.62
Amhara 13.15 20.80 15.77 30.06 0.73 1.88 6.37 11.85 5.13 6.61
Oromia 26.74 32.10 13.97 28.27 1.65 6.63 8.20 16.97 27.61 30.79
SNNP 35.24 23.48 8.78 18.58 5.92 5.87 8.89 10.37 24.04 14.16
Ethiopia 3.68 4.58 2.90 3.58 1.30 4.41 2.10 4.98 1.11 3.69

DAP/NPS Combined with + Urea is presented in Table 12. Thus,

Urea Fertilizer Use Trends the CAGRs for the number of
Both at national and regional levels, households who applied DAP/NPS +
between 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop Urea fertilizer on major cereal crops
seasons, the number of households and the area of each particular crop
who applied DAP/NPS + Urea treated with these fertilizers were
fertilizers on each of the major cereal positive at both national and regional
crop (tef, wheat, sorghum, maize and levels, which indicate an increasing
barely) and the area of each those trend (Table 12). Although, in the
particular crops treated with DAP/NPS SNNP region, for all major cereal
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crops, the CAGRs for DAP/NPS + the corresponding CAGR values in

Urea fertilizer user households and the Tigray, Amhara and Oromia regions
area treated with these fertilizers was except area treated on tef at national
greater than the national average and level (Table 12).

Table 12: Compounded annual growth rate (%) of household who applied DAP/NPS + Urea fertilizer application and
DAP/NPS + Urea fertilizer treated area of major cereal crops between 2004/05 and 2020/21 cropping seasons
in different regions of Ethiopia
Tef Wheat Sorghum Maize Barely
HWBF ATBF HWBF ATBF HWBF ATBF HWBF ATBF HWBF ATBF
Tigray
12.91 12.85 16.92 16.98 24.10 28.39 21.28 19.85 16.00 14.59
Amhara
12.55 13.09 14.01 12.88 21.26 31.07 12.27 11.37 18.77 20.12
Oromia
13.36 12.10 10.36 11.77 14.30 17.31 15.81 18.16 3.90 10.15
SNNP
21.86 21.80 20.37 18.02 24.43 36.10 22.48 24.19 23.19 26.55
Ethiopia
12.12 37.59 10.90 10.01 17.34 18.49 13.11 14.51 14.48 13.51

HWBF= Holders who applied both DAP/NPS + Urea fertilizer; ATBF= Area treated with both (DAP/NPS +Urea fertilizers

Between 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop Tigray, Oromia, SNNP, for wheat in
season, the proportion of households Tigray, Oromia, SNNP and for maize
who applied DAP/NPS + Urea in Tigray, Amhara, and SNNP, the rate
fertilizer in each major cereals crop at which DAP/NPS + Urea fertilizer
had increased (Table 13). Although, applicator household on these three
the proportions of DAP/NPS + Urea crops.
user households on wheat, tef and
maize, on the average, were greater Similarly, to that of the proportion of
than the proportions of DAP/NPS + households who applied DA/NPS +
Urea users on barely and sorghum at Urea fertilizers, the proportion of
regional and national levels (Table DAP/NPS + Urea treated area were on
13). It means larger proportions of the average greater on wheat, tef and
households in the Tigray, Amhara, maize than barely and sorghum crops
Oromia, SNNP and in the country at both at national and regional levels
large were applied DAP/NPS + Urea (Table13). For example, the highest
on wheat, tef, and maize than barely proportion of area of wheat treated in
and sorghum. However, at the regional SNNP and, tef and maize areas treated
level, the rate at which DAP/NPS + in Oromia region (Table 14). This
Urea fertilizer applicator household for indicate that, in SNNP and Oromia
wheat in SNNP, for tef in Amhara, and regions, large proportion of wheat, tef
for maize in Oromia region were and maize area were treated with
greater than the rate at which for tef in DAP/NPS + Urea fertilizer than

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sorghum and barely crops. Moreover, greater than sorghum and barely area
at national level, the proportion of treated with DAP/NPS + Urea
wheat, tef and maize area treated with fertilizer (Table 14).
DAP/NPS + Urea fertilizers were

Table 13. Proportion (%) of households who applied DAP/NPS + Urea fertilizer on major cereal crops in 2004/05 and
2020/21 crop seasons

Region/ Tef Wheat Sorghum Maize Barely

National 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/
05 21 05 21 05 21 05 21 05 21
Tigray 28.85 39.75 22.26 39.19 2.35 11.15 11.79 37.24 21.07 30.32
Amhara 23.65 36.81 32.98 48.39 2.00 2.78 34.87 27.76 3.37 18.29
Oromia 29.69 41.12 23.20 57.35 2.13 3.51 15.66 53.20 7.55 19.23
SNNP 9.45 40.47 21.48 66.10 0.99 10.17 7.63 36.76 3.33 38.03
Ethiopia 25.13 39.83 25.60 54.89 1.32 4.92 17.74 44.31 6.92 22.65

Table14. The proportion of area of major cereal crops treated with DAP/NPS + Urea in 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop season

Region/ Tef Wheat Sorghum Maize Barely

National 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/ 2004/ 2020/
05 21 05 21 05 21 05 21 05 21
Tigray 22.38 55.78 27.89 43.22 4.59 8.75 9.92 24.66 22.44 35.75
Amhara 33.45 45.16 24.24 45.33 2.60 4.28 18.84 36.98 4.71 19.79
Oromia 20.29 36.96 22.18 50.28 2.86 6.15 12.77 41.91 7.98 19.03
SNNP 19.86 37.27 17.85 63.93 2.13 2.52 7.16 37.72 4.82 40.43
Ethiopia 19.64 42.23 22.38 55.78 2.23 10.56 12.89 36.43 7.58 29.07

Trends in Fertilizer Use on vulgaris L.) and the total area sown to
Food legume Crops chickpea, faba bean and haricot bean
The major food legume crops had increased significantly at the
cultivated in Ethiopia include faba national level (Table 15). Conversely,
bean (Vicia faba L.), field pea (Pisum the number of faba bean and haricot
sativum L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum bean producer households and the area
L.), lentil (Lens culinaris Med.), sown to both crops were on the
haricot bean ((Phaseolus vulgaris L.) average greater than chickpea (Table
and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum- 15). On the other hand, within the
graecum). Between 2004/05 and same time span, number of households
2020/21 crop season, the total number who grew field pea, lentil and
of households who produced chickpea, fenugreek and only area sown on field
faba bean and haricot bean (Phaseolus pea were decreased (Table 15).

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Table 15. Number of households who grow food legume crops and the total area (ha) sown to major pulse crops between
2004/05 and 2020/21 cropping seasons in Ethiopia

Number of households Area (ha) sown

National 2004/05 2020/21 2004/05 2020/21
Chickpea 666100 935307 167569 220719
Field-pea 1604211 1599356 254365 219928
Haricot bean 2353250 2998746 245597 311584
Faba-bean 3358747 4159404 463174 504570
Lentil 643636 374545 76642 84512
Fenugreek 479676 419222 16325 42344

In the country, CAGRs for both and area treated with Urea fertilizer on
organic and inorganic fertilizer haricot bean, faba bean, field pea,
applicator households on faba bean, chickpea, lentil and fenugreek were
field pea, chickpea, lentil, fenugreek negligible. Thus, between 2004/05 and
and haricot bean and the CAGRs for 2020/21, legume crops were rarely
area of each legume crop treated with treated with Urea fertilizer in the
organic and inorganic fertilizer were country.
positive (Table 16), which indicates
increasing fertilizer use trend in the The number of households who
production of these legume crops. On applied DAP/NPS fertilizer on
the average, lentil, fenugreek and fenugreek and haricot bean had
chickpea had comparable but greater increased at CAGRs of 17.39% and
CAGRs for organic fertilizer 16.23%, respectively, and the area
applicator households than field pea, treated with DAP/NPS fertilizer on
faba bean and haricot bean (Table 16). haricot bean and fenugreek had
However, haricot bean and fenugreek increased at CAGR of 40.59% and
had comparable but greater CAGRs 20.19%, respectively. However, the
for organic fertilizer treated area than proportion of DAP/NPS fertilizer
lentil, chickpea, field pea and faba applicator households and the
bean. proportion of DAP/NPS fertilizer
treated area were on the average
Similarly, between 2004/05 and similar for haricot bean, faba bean and
2020/21 crop seasons, the number of field pea. Thus, between 2004/05 and
Urea fertilizer applicator households 2020/21 crop seasons, the proportion
and the area treated with this fertilizer of DAP/NPS fertilizer applicator
on fenugreek, lentil and haricot bean households on haricot bean ranged
had exhibited greater CAGR than from 6.83 to 17.26%, 6.82 to 16.47%
chickpea, field pea and faba bean on faba bean, 7.23 to 15 .84% on field
(Table 16). However, the proportion of pea. The corresponding values for the
Urea fertilizer applicator households proportion of area of each crop treated

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with DAP/NPS fertilizer were 8.8 to Urea fertilizer was the highest CAGR
16.13%, 6.15 to 18.27% and 7.56 to (Table 16).
16.04%. Conversely, the number of
households who applied DAP/NPS Moreover, the proportion of DAP/NPS
and the area treated with this fertilizer + Urea fertilizer applicator households
type on chickpea, lentil and fenugreek on fenugreek ranged from 3.53 to
crops were negligible. Thus, between 15.00%, 2.94 to 9.32% on faba bean,
2004/05 and 2020/21, legume crops 3.74 to 9.05% on lentil and 3.44 to
like chickpea, fenugreek and lentil 8.90% on haricot bean. Similarly, the
were rarely treated with DAP/NPS proportion of area treated with
fertilizer in the country. DAP/NPS + Urea fertilizer on
fenugreek, faba bean, lentil, haricot
In Ethiopia, DAP/NPS combined with bean had comparable and the value
Urea types of fertilizers are applied on ranged from 6.29 to 7.62%, 1.79 to
most field and horticultural crops by 7.45%, 3.18 to 8.04% and 2.87 to
smallholders’ farmers. Thus, the 10.56%, respectively. Conversely, the
number of DAP/NPS + Urea fertilizer proportion of DAP/NPS + Urea
user households and the legume crops fertilizer applicator households on
area treated with these fertilizers had chickpea and the area treated with
positively and significantly (Table 16). DAP/NPS + Urea fertilizer on
For example, lentil, fenugreek, faba chickpea was negligible. Thus,
bean and haricot bean had comparable between 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop
but greater CAGRs for DAP/NPS + season, the proportion of DAP/NPS +
Urea fertilizer applicator households Urea fertilizer applicator households
than field pea and chickpea (Table 16). and the area treated with these
The corresponding values for the fertilizer type on chickpea ranged from
proportion of area of lentil, fenugreek, 0.85 to 2.7%, and 0 to 1.24%,
faba bean and haricot bean treated respectively. Generally, large number
with DAP/NPS + Urea fertilizers were of households who grown chickpea
also comparable but greater than field and chickpea planted area were rarely
pea; however, proportion of area of applied with DA/NPS + Urea fertilizer
chickpea treated with DAP/NPS + compared to other legume crops.

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Table16. National compounded annual growth rate (%) for organic and inorganic fertilizers applicator households and
fertilizer treated area of legume crops between 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop season

Organic fertilizer Urea DAP/NPS DAP/NPS + Urea

Region/
National HWOF ATOF HWUF ATUF HWDF ATDF HWBF ATBF
Chickpea 11.08 5.97 9.27 10.20 9.96 9.98 5.28 15.07
Field pea 9.46 5.98 8.86 7.87 7.79 5.77 5.77 5.77
Haricot bean 9.46 8.09 14.08 11.60 16.23 40.59 10.07 12.93
Faba bean 6.23 5.29 8.57 9.11 9.21 8.14 11.35 11.65
Lentil 13.86 4.29 15.32 15.74 7.44 11.99 12.28 14.16
Fenugreek 12.36 6.93 18.38 12.88 17.39 20.19 11.14 13.27
HWOF, HWUF, HWDF and HWBF= Holders who applied organic, Urea, DAP/NPS and both (DAP/NPS + Urea) fertilizer;
ATOF, ATUF, ATDF and ATBF= Area treated with organic, Urea, DAP/NPS and both (DAP/NPS + Urea) fertilizer

Trends in Fertilizer sesame and rapeseed. Between

Use on Oil seed Crops 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop season, the
The major oilseed crops cultivated by total number of households who
smallholders in Ethiopia include noug produced linseed, sesame and rapeseed
(Guzotia abyssinica), linseed (Linum had decreased significantly at the
usitatissimum), rapeseed (Brasica national level (Table 17). Conversely,
carinata), groundnut (Arachis the area sown to sesame crops were
hypogaea), sesame (Sesamum increased significantly (Table 17). On
indicum) and safflower (Carthamus the other hand, within the same time
tinctorius). However, fertilizers use span, the area sown to rapeseed was
data are available only for linseed, decreased (Table 17).

Table 17. Number of households who grow and area (ha) sown to oilseed crops between 2004/05 and 2020/21 cropping
seasons in Ethiopia
Number of households Area (ha) sown
National 2004/05 2020/21 2004/05 2020/21
linseed 1267738 606911 250702 78921.37
Sesame 463741 309622 169897.3 369897.3
Rapeseed 816876 423273 41881 7917.47

At the national level, the CAGRs for linseed and rapeseed crops were
organic fertilizer user households on negative, which indicated a decreasing
each of the three oils seed crops and trend (Table 18). On the other hand,
the organic fertilizer treated area only between 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop
sesame crop was positive, which season, the proportions of organic
indicates an increasing trend (Table fertilizer applicator households on
18). However, the CAGRs, for the linseed, sesame and rapeseed and the
organic fertilizer treated area on proportions of each crop area that was

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treated with organic fertilizer were positive (Table 18). Thus, households
decreased. Thus, the proportions of who applied DAP/NPS fertilizer and
organic fertilizer applicator area treated with DAP/NPS fertilizer
households on linseed value ranges on sesame increased at CAGR of
from 7.22 to 1.89%, 8.37 to 0%, on 8.68% and 17.64%, respectively
sesame 5.76 to 3.40%, on rapeseed. (Table 18). On the other hand, the
The corresponding values for the proportion of households who applied
proportion of area of each three crop, DAP/NPS fertilizer and the proportion
21.96 to 6.76, 41.67 to 3.46% and of area treated with DAP/NPS
30.47 to 28.72%. fertilizer on linseed and rapeseed were
negligible (Table 18).
At national level, between 2004/05
and 2020/21 crop season, the CAGR The CAGRs for households who
for the number of households who applied DAP/NPS + Urea fertilizer on
applied Urea fertilizer on linseed, linseed, sesame and rapeseed was
sesame and rapeseed was positive positive (Table 18), which indicates
(Table 18). However, the proportion of increased use of DAP/NPS + Urea
households who applied Urea fertilizer fertilizer on these crops. Consequently,
and the proportion of linseed, sesame, 14.51 to 17.40% and 2.70 to 5.23% the
and rapeseed area treated with Urea households had applied DAP/NPS +
fertilizer were very small. In general, Urea fertilizer and area treated with
the proportion of households who this fertilizer on rapeseed, 0.98 to
applied Urea fertilizer and the 0.26% the households had applied
proportion of area treated with Urea DAP/NPS + Urea fertilizer on linseed.
fertilizer on these three oilseed crops For the sesame crop, the households
did not show distinct trend. Similarly, had applied DAP/NPS + Urea
between 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop fertilizer and area treated with this
season, the CAGR for the number of fertilizer was highly variable among
households who applied DAP/NPS crop seasons (the estimates had very
fertilizer and area applied with this high coefficient of variation).
fertilizer type on only sesame was

Table 18. National compounded annual growth rate (%) for organic fertilizer and inorganic fertilizers applicator households
and fertilizer treated area of oilseed crops between 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop season

Organic fertilizer Urea DAP/NPS DAP/NPS + Urea

Region/
National HWOF ATNF HWUF ATUF HWDF ATDF HWBF ATBF
Linseed 0.11 -2.16 9.15 13.57 -0.49 -5.45 6.90 5.92
Sesame 5.08 4.25 7.78 18.13 8.68 17.64 15.59 19.59
Rapeseed 4.98 -4.98 4.09 1.74 -8.72 -12.79 2.70 5.23
HWOF, HWUF, HWDF and HWBF= Holders who applied organic, Urea, DAP/NPS and both (DAP/NPS + Urea) fertilizer;
ATOF, ATUF, ATDF and ATBF= Area treated with organic, Urea, DAP/NPS and both (DAP/NPS + Urea) fertilizer

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Trends in Fertilizer Use on Moreover, fertilizers use data are

Fruit Vegetable Crops available only for green pepper and
The important fruit vegetable crops in red pepper. Thus, the number of
Ethiopia are tomato, green pepper, red households who grow green pepper
pepper, egg-plant are probably the and red pepper, and the corresponding
most widely cultivated crops in the area for these two crops had
country. Nationwide hundreds of significantly increased between
thousands of households are involved 2004/05 and 2020/21crop season
in beet root, carrot and yam production (Table 19).
each on an area less than 5600 ha.

Table 19. Number of households who grow and area (ha) sown to red pepper and green pepper between 2004/05 and
2020/21 cropping seasons in Ethiopia

Number of households Area (ha) sown

National 2004/05 2004/21 2004/05 2020/21
Green pepper 794229 1219649 4783 14690.91
Red pepper 1540837 1936607 56991 168345.57

At the national level, the CAGRs for households who applied organic fertilizer
and inorganic fertilizer on green pepper and red pepper was positive (Table 20),
which indicates increased use of organic fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer on these
crops. Between 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop season, the proportion of organic
fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer applicator households and the proportion of
organic fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer treated area were on the average similar
for these two fruit vegetable crops. Thus, between 2004/05 and 200/21 crop
seasons, fertilizer applicator households on green pepper ranged organic fertilizer
from 6.81 to 7.41%, Urea from 0.47 to 1.49%, DAP/NPS from 0.87 to 1.56%,
DAP/NPS + Urea from 0.96 to 3.74% and on green pepper, organic fertilizer
applicator households ranged from 5.98 to 15.00%, Urea from 5.58 to 18.93%,
DAP/NPS from 3.32 to 7.40%DAP/NPS + Urea from 8.95 to 9.96%. Moreover,
the proportion of area of green pepper treated with organic fertilizer were 5.34 to
9.82%, 0 to 1.48% Urea, 3.05 to 2.46% DAP/NPS, and 0 to 15.02% DAP/NPS +
Urea. Similarly, the proportion of area of red pepper treated with organic fertilizer
were 2.61 to 8.44%, Urea from 10.12 to 16.36, DAP/NPS from 10.84 to 6.91%
and DAP/NPS + Urea fertilizer from 18.86 to 38.47%. As a result, the proportions
of fertilizer applicator households and area treated with organic fertilizer and
inorganic fertilizer were negligible. However, the proportions of area treated with
DAP/NPS + Urea fertilizer on red pepper was highest than other fertilizer type.

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Table 20. National compounded annual growth rate (%) for organic fertilizer and inorganic fertilizers applicator households
and fertilizer treated area of green pepper and red pepper crops between 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop season

Organic fertilizer Urea NPS/DAP Urea + NPS/DAP

National HWOF ATNF HWUF ATUF HWDF ATDF HWBF ATBF

Green pepper 5.20 2.30 10.44 5.57 12.06 9.51 8.95 9.96
Red pepper 1.31 1.22 6.78 5.79 4.21 3.80 7.18 6.73
HWOF, HWUF, HWDF and HWBF= Holders who applied organic, Urea, DAP/NPS and both (DAP/NPS + Urea) fertilizer;
ATOF, ATUF, ATDF and ATBF= Area treated with organic, Urea, DAP/NPS and both (DAP/NPS + Urea) fertilizer

Trends in Fertilizer Use on unusable to estimate CAGRs and

Root and Bulb Crops proportion of fertilizer applicator
households and area treated with
Root Crops fertilizers. As a result, estimated only
for sweet potato and potato crops.
The important root crops in Ethiopia
Thus, the number of households who
are beet root, carrot, sweet potato
grow sweet potato and the
(Ipomoea batatas), cassava (Manihot
corresponding area for potato and
esculenta) and Anchote (Coccinia
sweet potato crops had significantly
abyssinica), while the economical
increased between 2004/05 and
tuber crops are potato (Solanum
2020/21 crop season (Table 21). But,
tuberosum) and yam (Dioscorea sp.).
the number of households who grow
However, due to the disaggregated of
potato crop had decreased (Table 21).
fertilizer data for beet root, carrot,
cassava, Anchote and yam crops were
Table 21. Number of households who grow and area (ha) sown potato and sweet potato between 2004/05 and 2020/21
cropping seasons in Ethiopia

Number of households Area (ha) sown

National 2004/05 2020/21 2004/05 2020/21
Potato 1171582 1038881 51698 85988
Sweet potato 1087638 2171800 45474 62117

Moreover, the CAGRs for households also positive and significantly

who applied both organic fertilizer and increases (Table 22). The proportion
inorganic (Urea, DAP/NPS and of households who applied organic
DAP/NPS + Urea) fertilizers on sweet fertilizer on sweet potato ranges from
potato and potato had positive and 5.89 to 4.57%, Urea from 0.94 to
significantly increased (Table 22). 0.69%, DAP/NPS from 1.45 to 1.52%
Similarly, the CAGRs for sweet potato and DAP/NPS + Urea from to 1.19 to
and potato area treated with organic 1.04%. Similarly, the proportion of
fertilizer and inorganic fertilizers had households who applied organic
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 Ethiop. J. Crop Sci. Vol 11 No.1, 2023

fertilizer on potato ranges from 5.47 to the proportion of sweet potato area
3.31%, Urea from 2.03 to 2.48%, treated with organic fertilizer and
DAP/NPS from 14.41 to 23.94% and inorganic fertilizer were negligible.
DAP/NPS + Urea 5.70 to 9.68%. Thus, between 2004/05 and 2020/21
Moreover, the proportion of potato crop seasons, large number of sweet
treated area with fertilizers ranges potato cultivated area had not treated
from 12.42 to 18.64% natural, from by both organic fertilizer and
2.79 to 2.73 Urea, from 14.28 to inorganic fertilizer; however, potato
16.02% DAP/NPS, 19.81 to 29.88% planted field were treated but, more by
DAP/NPS + Urea fertilizer; however, DAP/NPS + Urea fertilizer type.

Table 22. National compounded annual growth rate (%) for organic fertilizer and inorganic fertilizers applicator households
and fertilizer treated area of potato and sweet potato crops between 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop season
National Organic fertilizer Urea DAP/NPS DAP/NPS + Urea

HWOF ATNF HWUF ATUF HWDF ATDF HWBF ATBF

Potato 1.33 2.70 5.62 8.41 2.50 10.80 9.60 12.58
Sweet potato 4.52 1.06 6.29 5.14 9.20 4.52 8.40 5.35
HWOF, HWUF, HWDF and HWBF= Holders who applied organic, Urea, DAP/NPS and both (DAP/NPS + Urea) fertilizer;
ATOF, ATUF, ATDF and ATBF= Area treated with organic, Urea, DAP/NPS and both (DAP/NPS + Urea) fertilizer

Bulb crops bulb crops in the country. Thus, the

In Ethiopia, onion (Allium cepa L.), area sown for onion and garlic crops
shallot (A. ascalonicum auct. hort.), had significantly increased between
garlic (A. sativum L.) and leek (A. 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop season
porrum L.) are the important bulb (Table 23). However, the number of
crops. However, onion and garlic are households who grow these bulb crops
probably the most widely cultivated had decreased (Table 23).

Table 23. Number of households who grow and area (ha) sown for onion and garlic between 2004/05 and 2020/21
cropping seasons in Ethiopia

Number of households Area (ha) sown

National 2004/05 2020/21 2004/05 2020/21
Onion 951709 702181 17980 38953
Garlic 1902636 1328146 13657 15980

Because of both organic fertilizer and area treated with fertilizers. Thus, the
inorganic fertilizer use data are CAGRs for organic fertilizer and
available only for garlic and onion, to inorganic fertilizers user households
estimate CAGRs and proportion of and the fertilizer treated area on each
fertilizer applicator households and of the two crops were positive, which
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 Ethiop. J. Crop Sci. Vol 11 No.1, 2023

indicates an increasing trend in onion area treated with fertilizers

fertilizer use on bulb crops production ranges from 1.83 to 5.49% natural,
(Table 24). Moreover, between 4.52 to 12.57% Urea, 7.01 to 12%
2004/05 and 2020/21 crop seasons, the DAP/NPS and 18.34 to 38.91%
proportion of households who applied DAP/NPS + Urea. Moreover, the
organic fertilizer and inorganic proportion of garlic area treated with
fertilizer on onion and garlic were fertilizers ranges from 9.71 to 21.90%,
positive. Thus, the proportion of 4.51 to 7.45%, 2.54 to 6.55% and 7.46
households who applied organic to 28.04% natural, Urea, DAP/NPS
fertilizer ranges from 5.46 to 2.24%, and DAP/NPS + Urea fertilizer,
from 2.89 to 12.46% Urea, from 2.97 respectively.
to 10% DAP/NPS and from 3.50 to
13.32% DAP/NPS + Urea. Similarly, Generally, in Ethiopia, onion and
the proportion of households who garlic growers had been used different
applied organic fertilizer on garlic fertilizer type and level of area treated
ranges from 6.63 to 4.76%, Urea from with fertilizer mainly DAP/NPS +
1.52 to 2.49%, DAP/NPS from 1.76 to Urea fertilizer. However, households
0% and DAP/NPS + Urea from 2.46 to who applied natural, Urea and
6.58%. The proportion of onion and DA/NPS fertilizers on onion and garlic
garlic treated area with fertilizers had and treated area by these types of
also positive. Thus, the proportion of fertilizers were negligible.
Table 24. National compounded annual growth rate (%) for organic fertilizer and inorganic fertilizers applicator households
and fertilizer treated area of root and bulb crops between 2004/05 and 2020/21 crop season
National Organic fertilizer Urea DAP/NPS DAP/NPS + Urea

HWOF ATNF HWUF ATUF HWDF ATDF HWBF ATBF

Onion 3.31 6.13 5.17 10.39 7.78 17.11 7.05 11.03
Garlic 0.29 1.67 7.80 10.02 5.99 13.87 6.46 10.04

HWOF, HWUF, HWDF and HWBF= Holders who applied organic, Urea, DAP/NPS and both (DAP/NPS + Urea) fertilizer;
ATOF, ATUF, ATDF and ATBF= Area treated with organic, Urea, DAP/NPS and both (DAP/NPS + Urea) fertilizer

Discussion and 2020/21 crop seasons, compared

to pulse and oil seed crops, a higher
amount of organic fertilizer was
Trends of organic (farmyard manure
applied to cereals (maize, tef, wheat,
and wood ashes) fertilizer uses on
sorghum). This could be associated
cereals, pulse, oil seed, fruit
with the crop return per hectare, a high
vegetables, root, and bulb crops have
level of organic fertilizer is applied to
increased over the period from
a higher crop return per hectare than
2004/05 to 2020/21 at the national
smaller crop returns (Pender and
level. However, between the 2004/05
Gebremedhin, 2007; Kassie et al.,
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 Ethiop. J. Crop Sci. Vol 11 No.1, 2023

2011; Tewodros et al., 2020). Among transportation and the addition of

the cereal crops, larger proportions of manure which is bulky in nature
households and the area treated with (Waithakaet al., 2007; Gilleret al.,
organic fertilizer were more significant 2006), iii) Insecurity in land rent limits
for maize and sorghum than tef, wheat, the adoption of manure and residue
and barley crops. These might be management: rental is less secure than
associated with the crop type, (Hailu, ownership and that limited rental
2010; Zelalem, 2019; Mitikuet al., periods shorten a farmer’s planning
2022), more organic fertilizer is horizon. Moreover, land-
applied for higher plants, while less rented farmers may decide to adopt
amount of organic fertilizer is applied inorganic fertilizers, which require less
for smaller plant types, because labour compared to organic fertilizer
farmers, they are getting better yield and provides nutrients faster than
without lodging problem in the smaller organic fertilizer, which is long-term
crops. (Leonhardt et al., 2019).

Regardless of the difference in the Inorganic fertilizer uses trends over

proportions of organic fertilizer the period of 2004/05 to 2020/21
applicator households and the increased and concentrated on cereals
proportion of organic fertilizer treated and root and bulb crops. Trends at the
area on major cereals, pulse, oil seed, national and regional levels more
fruit vegetables, root, and bulb crops households and more areas treated
except for potato and green pepper, with inorganic fertilizers on tef, wheat,
which increasing trend, the change is and maize fields than barley and
negligible, where decreased in all sorghum crops. Combined use of
regions and in the country. This result DAP/NPS and Urea fertilizers were
is supported by Mengistu et al. (2011) used more than solely Urea and
and Gedefaw and Sisay. (2019). The DAP/NPS. On the other hand, low
reasons for decreased use of organic households and low areas were treated
fertilizer on crops in Ethiopia are the on sorghum and barley crops. This
following reasons: i) Limited sources might be due to fertilizer uses could be
of materials for organic fertilizers' correlated with the other input
preparation: this includes low (improved seed, pesticide, and
availability of biomass overall due to irrigation), agroecology (sorghum is
low productivity, and competing uses usually grown in areas with less
for this biomass (dung used as fuel and rainfall), there are a few improved
crop residues used as feed), ii) Large- varieties available, these crops have
sized plots and plots located far from received little attention until recently
the farmers’ homes discourages the and therefore, there is seemingly a
application of manure. This is because lower return to fertilizer use (Endale,
they are labor-intensive due to 2010; Asfaw et al., 2022).
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 Ethiop. J. Crop Sci. Vol 11 No.1, 2023

In terms of the application of fertilizer DAP/NPS and Urea fertilizers. This

rate per hectare of cultivated lands, the could be because yield response to
period (2004/05 to 2020/21) showed phosphorus fertilizer is more for of
an increasing trend. For instance, at pules crops (Solomon et al., 2022). On
the national level application of Urea, the crop bases, the haricot bean crop
DAP/NPS, and Urea + DAP/NPS on average was treated with more
fertilizers on tef, wheat, maize, DAP/NPS fertilizer than the other
sorghum, and barley crops increased pulse crops. This could be because
by more than 50%. Although the haricot bean is often cultivated on
application rate per hectare indicated marginal lands and among producers
remarkable increases, still lower than and the crop needs additional nutrients
the research recommendation for all (Ermias and Fanuel, 2020; Alemayehu
major crops. These changes could et al., 2022).
arise because farmers stagnated in the Owing partly to the attention given to
monoculture cropping system. cereal production to achieve food
According to Misgana (2017) and security, most fertilizer use in Ethiopia
Adane (2019), the area sown to has been on cereal crops. At national
legumes in Ethiopia had declined over levels, the amount of fertilizer used for
time due to new and re-emerging pulse, vegetables and oils crops were
viruses and fungal diseases. Thus, increased from 2004/05 to 2020/21.
farmers have been forced to shift For example, the increase was two-
from cereal-legume-based cropping to fold for onion and potato and a large
cereals-cereals and cereals-bulb crops proportion in the cropping season,
such as tef-wheat, tef-maize, wheat- probably due to high crop return per
onion, and tef-onion rotation systems. unit area (Endale, 2010; Asfaw et al.,
As a result, fertilizer utilization 2022).
increased. In addition to the
monoculture cropping system, farmers In SNNP region more proportion of
often do not have enough amount of households and more proportion of
crop residue returns on their farms to crop area was applied both inorganic
be used as organic fertilizers, because and organic fertilizers mainly on major
crop residues are used more as crops treated than the other regions.
firewood and animal feed than as a Although the exact reason why crop
fertilizer (Birhanet al., 2017). producers in SNNP region use more
Consequently, most agricultural lands inorganic and organic fertilizers than
are poor soil fertility, low soil the other region has not been
structures, and low productivity. On investigated scientifically, however;
pulse crops, more proportion of fertilizer use is associated with the
households and more areas were land size, the smaller land owners, the
treated with DAP/NPS fertilizer than more fertilizer application. For
sole Urea and combined use of instance, the average farm size of more

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 Ethiop. J. Crop Sci. Vol 11 No.1, 2023

densely population areas like SNNP tenure are limits to the adoption of
regions, average farm size is 0.5 ha organic fertilizer in the country. As
(Taffesse et al., 2013). According to far as the use of organic fertilizer in
Gabriel and Demeke (2001) the study Ethiopia is concerned, the
showed that size of land is the major recommendation could be illustrated in
determinant of fertilizer use. to the following manner. First,
researchers need to look into the huge
Conclusion amount of organic fertilizer required
per unit area associated to cost and
difficulty for transportation. Second,
A significant increasing trend has been
legal regulations to maximize rental
observed in the use of inorganic
periods between landowners and
fertilizer since 2004/05 though the
farmers those who rented land may be
amounts used varied crop based and
an option to increase the use of
regions. Cereal took the largest share
organic fertilizer. Third, the
across crops in Tigray, followed by
mechanization researchers will
Amhara, SNNP, and Oromia across
develop and provide organic fertilizer
region. Based on the number of
transport equipment at an affordable
households and areas coverage, with
price to smallholder farmers. Fourth,
organic fertilizer Oromia and Amhara
extension workers should focus on
regions used the largest proportion
rising awareness about the importance
than Tigray and SNNP regions. The
of organic fertilizers to encourage or
current study points out that on
expand their use among smallholder
average amount of inorganic fertilizers
farmers. In addition to the above
used were relatively higher than
recommendation, itis necessary to
organic fertilizer. Based the relative
reduce the pace at which inorganic
advantage and accessibility, it is
fertilizer used through the provision of
suggested that optimizing organic and
safe and effective fertilizer
inorganic fertilizer use into crop
management, including increased
production is beneficial from the point
fertilizer use efficiency. Therefore,
of sustainability and climate change
developing technologies and
impact adaptation.
alternative options for increasing the
use of organic fertilizer on the
Among the problems are limited
one hand, and reducing inorganic
sources of materials for organic
fertilizer, on the other hand are focus
fertilizers' preparation because of
areas of intervention in the future.
competing uses for this material (dung
used as fuel and crop residues used as
feed), plots located far from the
farmers’ home state, and fragmented
farmland and insecurity in land
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 Ethiop. J. Crop Sci. Vol 11 No.1, 2023

Acknowledgments Gaps of Major Cereal and Grain Legume

Crops in Ethiopia: A Review. Agronomy,
12, 2528. https://doi.org/10.3390/
We would like to express our thanks to agronomy12102528.
Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia Birhan Abdulkadir, Sofiya Kassa, Temesgen
Desalegn, Kassu Tadesse, Mihreteab
for organizing data and our colleague Haileselassie, Girma Fana and Tolera
Tebekew Damte his constructive Abera. 2017. Crop response to fertilizer
comments and suggestions to develop application in Ethiopia: a review. pp. 65-
this paper review. The work was 75. In: Lulseged Tamene, Tilahun Amede,
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