The initiative is situated some 15km from the town of Guder in the Tuki Kuti District of the West Showa zone of Oromia Regional State.

The mission of the farmers participating in this initiative is to improve the health and fertility of their farms by using organic methods and products (such as vermicompost) on cash crops (mainly potatoes) so that they and their families can benefit from better income and healthy products.

In order to address farmer concerns about declining soil fertility, the Oromia Bureau of Agriculture and Natural Resources has supported farmers to access different inputs for integrated soil fertility management to treat soil acidity. The initiative in the district started in 2018 and is currently practiced by vegetable farmers in the Tuki Kuti and Wolmera districts, primarily for potato production but also for the production of fruit and high-value tree seedlings.

The District Agriculture Office uses practical and experiential learning methods in its extension approach. These are implemented in the field, where farmers test the concept at demonstration sites and learn how to prepare and use vermicompost. Trainings are given by NGOs and field visits are organized by the regional office.

There are ecological and other benefits from the application of this technology, such as:

• Microbial activity is increased in the worm castings compared to the soil;

• Improved water holding capacity of the compost-treated soil;

• Increased awareness of the benefits of vermicomposting and agroecological production systems.

This fact sheet is produced as part of the Avaclim project, which aims to create the necessary conditions for the deployment of agroecology in dryland areas. The international solidarity association CARI coordinates the Avaclim project while the Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD) carries out the implementation in Ethiopia.