Organic fertilizer and farming in Ethiopia

Synthetic nitrogen based fertilizers are manufactured in an energy-intensive process using natural gas as a raw material. While we are moving away from oil and gas as fuel, agricultural chemicals is one of the areas where the fossil fuel industry is currently expanding and diversifying their products.

As a result of the war in the Ukraine, however, fertilizer prices have increased dramatically worldwide and become unaffordable for many small-scale farmers. Near the Ethiopian city of Bahir Dar, at the shores of Lake Tana, Dr Misgun Kahsu, therefore, works with local communities to replace chemicals with natural waste.

Misgun is an expert on food security, waste management and environmental sustainability. She who holds a PhD from the University of Newcastle and has founded an NGO - the Devine Feminine – that encourages organic farming through a hands-on approach.

Misgun says: “Cutting out fossil-fuel based fertilizers and pesticides reduces greenhouse gas emissions, helps people to live healthier lives and protects mother earth.”

Your support will help Misgun’s organisation to continue rehabilitating traditional practices, promoting organic farming and develop cutting edge solutions for the agriculture sector in a changing climate.