GIZ SOILutions Library

CA4SH is partnering with the two global programmes “Soil Protection and Rehabilitation for Food Security” (ProSoil) and “Soil Matters – Innovations for Soil Health and Agroecology” implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH to enhance knowledge sharing for scaling soil health on the ground through implementation, policy, finance, and scientific pathways.

The programmes are funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the Gates Foundation.

The GIZ SOILutions Library holds all resources related to these global soil programmes.

Browse all SOILutions

CA4SH | Library

GIZ, Ethiopia, SOILutions, Integrated Soil Fertility Management, Farmers

Economic Impact of Integrated Soil FertilityManagement on Smallholder Farmers' Income

GIZ, Ethiopia, SOILutions, Integrated Soil Fertility Management, Farmers

Soil health is essential for agricultural productivity, yet over 50% of Ethiopia’s highland farmland is degraded due to erosion, low organic matter, and acidification, threatening food security and farmers’ livelihoods.

To address this challenge, the Integrated Soil Fertility Management Project (ISFM+), implemented by GIZ Ethiopia, promotes Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) to improve soil health and crop yields.

GIZ, Ethiopia, SOILutions, Integrated Soil Fertility Management, Farmers

Ethiopia, Land degradation, Soil rehabilitation, GIZ, DVRPU, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, BMZ, SOILutions

Lowland Soil Rehabilitation Project (LSRP)

Ethiopia, Land degradation, Soil rehabilitation, GIZ, DVRPU, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, BMZ, SOILutions

The Lowland Soil Rehabilitation Project (LSRP) is part of the Global Programme Soil Protection and Rehabilitation for Food Security under the core area 'A life without hunger – Transformation of Agri-food systems' of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Aligned with this mission, LSRP focuses on agroecological approaches to achieve sustainable, climate-smart soil conservation and rehabilitation in the Ethiopian lowlands.

The LSRP operates in eight woredas in the Afar region, one woreda in Oromia and provides training and backstopping for all woredas in the Somali region.

Ethiopia, Land degradation, Soil rehabilitation, GIZ, DVRPU, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, BMZ, SOILutions

GIZ, ProSoil, SOILutions, BMZ, Food Security, Ethiopia, Economic impact, Integrated Soil Fertility Management, Soil Management

Economic Impact of Integrated Soil FertilityManagement on Smallholder Farmers' Income

GIZ, ProSoil, SOILutions, BMZ, Food Security, Ethiopia, Economic impact, Integrated Soil Fertility Management, Soil Management

ISFM significantly increases farm income, with an average net income increase of 80%, and wheat being the most profitable crop. However, income variability persists as some farmers face low or negative net return when labour costs are accounted for. Adoption is also hindered by limited input access, credit constraints and labour shortage. Methodological limitations, including data issues and spillover effects, suggest caution in generalizing findings. Further research is needed to refine insights in regional and crop-specific dynamics. The findings highlight ISFM’s significant impact on smallholder income, reinforcing its potential for sustainable agricultural development in the Ethiopian highlands.

GIZ, ProSoil, SOILutions, BMZ, Food Security, Ethiopia, Economic impact, Integrated Soil Fertility Management, Soil Management