Director of agronomy hints proposal for unilateral fertilizer production plant in eastern Ethiopia
A recent study conducted by OCP Ethiopia, a subsidiary of the OCP phosphate mining and fertilizer production conglomerate owned by the Moroccan state, and the Sidama Region Agricultural Research Institute (SiRARI) portrays soil acidity as a growing concern in Ethiopia, where agriculture remains central to the economy, employing about 80 percent of the workforce and contributing more than 35 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The study found that more than 43 percent of Ethiopia’s actively cultivated land is acidic, with pH levels classified as critically low. It highlighted that roughly 72 percent of land in areas such as Sidama, Southwest Ethiopia, and South Ethiopia is affected by low soil pH, while up to 60 percent of farmland in the Oromia Regional State and 35 percent of farmland in the Amhara Regional State experience similar acidity-related conditions.
Experts involved in the study, including lead researcher Selamyihun Kidanu (PhD), note that acidic soils significantly reduce agricultural productivity. They explain that low pH conditions bind essential nutrients such as phosphorus, limit the availability of key elements needed by crops, and reduce microbial activity that supports soil health. As a result, crop yields in affected areas can fall to around half of the national average.
The researchers further highlight that acidic conditions increase the solubility of toxic elements such as aluminum and manganese. These elements, according to the experts, can accumulate in the soil at harmful levels, placing additional stress on crops and reinforcing a cycle of low productivity for farming communities already facing declining returns from their land.
Selamyihun has been a principal agronomist at OCP Ethiopia since 2017, where he currently serves as director of agronomy and business development. A soil scientist with training from Haramaya University, Selamyihun has built a career centered on large-scale agricultural production within cross-social contexts. He is widely recognized for his work on soil acidity and nutrient management in Ethiopia, including the development of solutions such as OC-MASSA, a specialized type of fertilizer, to address phosphorus deficiency and acidic soils and improve conditions for crop production.
In an in-depth conversation with The Reporter’s Abraham Tekle, Selamyihun examined the critical soil acidity crisis in Ethiopia and the transformative agricultural and economic potential of OC-MASSA. He also provided updates on the current status of OCP’s 2021 agreement to develop a fertilizer production plant in eastern Ethiopia. EXCERPTS:
The Reporter: You recently conducted a field trip to the OC-MASSA Wheat Cluster Demonstration, organized by OCP Ethiopia in partnership with the Sidama Region Agricultural Research Institute (SiRARI). Walk us through its purpose and key findings of the project and share with us the relationship between your visit and the study conducted in the region.
Selamyihun Kidanu (PhD): I think the journey took several years, driven by the search for products that work effectively in challenging soil environments. Soil acidity is a major constraint in the country for several reasons. It affects a large share of cultivated land, estimated at 43 percent. These areas also coincide with zones of high agricultural importance where rainfall is substantial. Addressing soil acidity can significantly improve the productivity of rain-fed agriculture, as many of these regions receive more than 800 millimeters of rainfall within three to four months. This makes them reliable in terms of moisture and temperature regimes. However, soil acidity remains the main bottleneck to fully utilizing this potential.
Soil acidity presents four major constraints that must be addressed together. The first is low soil pH, which affects nutrient stability. Even when soils contain nutrient reserves, these are not biologically available under acidic conditions. When soil pH falls below 5.5, acidity becomes a limiting factor. For optimal crop growth, soil pH should range between 6.5 and 7.5.
Since 2019, a blended fertilizer has been developed to support crops affected by soil acidity. The product was evaluated in the field with local partners, the national agricultural research system, and regional counterparts. Over two years, rigorous field studies were conducted across 54 benchmark sites. Based on the results, 11 blended fertilizer formulas tailored for wheat production were advanced.
With the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, these products went through the registration process and were approved as commercial fertilizers. Before market introduction, efforts focused on building awareness at the grassroots level. Multi-location preliminary trials were conducted during the current season across several regions. One of these initiatives took place in Sidama, where work was carried out on crops such as common beans and wheat. Field visits were organized with partners to observe farmer responses and hear feedback based on their experiences using the blended fertilizers called OC-MASSA.
Based on your findings, what government policy changes are being considered to scale up the adoption of OC-MASSA nationwide—especially in addressing low farmer awareness and to bring more results in the agricultural system?
The primary objective of our pre-commercial demonstrations was to systematically gather evidence, beginning with small-scale experimental plots and scaling up to 10-hectare farm clusters. By implementing these trials within local communities, incorporating groups of 30 to 40 farmers, we have successfully bridged the gap between research and reality. We now possess a full spectrum of data, ranging from controlled experimental results to real-world farm performance. This comprehensive evidence base provides policymakers with the necessary confidence to take decisive action rooted in locally developed, scientific findings.
Beyond the data, securing “buy-in” from the farming community is essential for the long-term adoption of these products. We are actively capturing farmer perceptions and testimonials to understand how they envision integrating these solutions into their future practices. By connecting technical research data with the lived experiences of farmers in our semi-commercial demonstrations, we have created a cohesive narrative of success. This integrated body of evidence, combining objective science with community feedback, now empowers policymakers to make informed, strategic decisions for the agricultural sector.
What has been done to create awareness in this regard to low-informed farmers to cut the cost of these technological materials to the farm lands?
OC-MASSA is designed as an alternative option for addressing acidic land. From a logistics perspective, it has a significant advantage. To illustrate this quantitatively, correcting soil acidity using lime requires the application of about 20 quintals over 2.4 hectares. OC-MASSA can achieve a similar effect with only three quintals of fertilizer. This represents a shift from conventional soil amendment approaches to a customized fertilizer solution that combines pH correction with the supply of missing nutrients, particularly phosphorus, which are the two main constraints being addressed.
Because of this efficiency, OC-MASSA is easier for farmers to use and more cost-effective. An investment in OC-MASSA can be recovered within a single season, without a long waiting period. In contrast, lime requires the application of large quantities, involves higher logistical costs, and demands more infrastructure for transport, storage, and handling. OC-MASSA can be distributed through existing fertilizer value chains without additional infrastructure, allowing it to reach remote areas through the national distribution system. It provides productivity comparable to lime while offering faster recovery, quicker returns, and better accessibility.
What does the long-term research show about the efficacy and cost-benefit of OC-MASSA compared to traditional bulk agricultural lime in managing soil acidity?
Extensive research was conducted as part of this work, including the collection of about 1,200 data points across multiple activities. On average, comparisons between conventional fertilizers and OC-MASSA show a yield advantage of around 20 to 30 percent. In some cases, particularly in highly sensitive agro-ecological zones, the advantage ranges from 20 to 50 percent. Variations are observed across locations due to differences in crop tolerance and sensitivity to soil pH levels.
When compared with the conventional fertilizers currently in use, the average advantage of OC-MASSA generally ranges between 10 and 25 percent. When these gains are translated to the scale of cultivated land, the overall impact is substantial. The improvement significantly reduces crop susceptibility to soil acidity and can result in an estimated additional 1.4 million metric tons of grain production.
How is the ongoing site-specific fertilizer research being integrated into the national agricultural extension system?
This represents OCP’s core vision of building a sustainable agricultural system in Africa. When soil acidity limits crop production, the objective is to shift toward more nutrient-dense crops such as wheat, maize, and barley, rather than relying mainly on more acid-tolerant root crops. While root crops contribute primarily carbohydrates, cereals offer broader nutritional value. Increasing the production and productivity of these crops is a central priority, closely aligned with government policy aimed at achieving national self-sufficiency. Once self-sufficiency is reached, the focus can shift to export or import substitution, reflecting the strategic outcomes of sustained productivity growth.
Secondly, addressing soil acidity has become a top priority for the government, as it directly influences the livelihoods of millions. Geographically, this issue affects regions home to approximately 18 million people; when considering the average household size of five, the impact extends to nearly 40 million individuals. Enhancing agricultural productivity in these areas does more than just bolster the national economy—it fundamentally secures the future of these households. By improving yields on acidic lands, the country is not only lifting its overall economic status but also ensuring steady progress and increased capacity for the millions of citizens.
OCP has announced the completion of its comprehensive soil mapping study. Could you provide an update on the current status of the map? When can we expect the results to be fully operationalized or made accessible to the public?
Soil maps provide information on the spatial distribution of soil types and their key properties. To link specific products with appropriate recommendations, a dedicated tool is required. A cartographic tool that shows the spatial distribution of soil acidity across different regions serves this purpose and can be effectively used by the agricultural extension system. At the same time, digital agricultural tools have been developed and are supported through national distribution and decision-support platforms.
These tools are being developed through collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, and related centers. Initial cartographic and soil fertility mapping has already been completed, including soil fertility maps produced under the ETH project. This work resulted in the country’s first soil fertility atlas, which identifies nutrient deficiencies, their geographic locations, and the constraints that must be addressed to reach appropriate solutions. The atlas provides precise location-based information to guide interventions.
Regarding the publication, the core work is complete, though we continue to refine the data iteratively. The final phase, which incorporates the full national dataset, is scheduled for release this year. Currently, updated segments are already available in databases for some parts of the country. While we intend to publish all generated findings, the system is already fully operational and being utilized.
In September 2021, Ethiopia and OCP signed the agreement for a fertilizer complex valued at more than USD 2–3 billion. Where does this project stand today, and what is the updated timeline for construction and commissioning—especially in light of the later USD 2.5 billion urea plant deal signed with the Dangote Group in August 2025?
Progress on the Dire Dawa project has been limited, primarily due to the lack of ready raw material sources required for manufacturing. The initial strategy was to capitalize on natural gas reserves from the Ogaden region to power fossil fuel plants; however, because the government-controlled gas supply did not meet initial expectations, the project required a lengthy revision of its planned capacity. As the industrial landscape shifts—notably with the Dangote Group’s Urea plant now utilizing available gas—our organization is adapting its approach. We are currently proposing an alternative path: the establishment of a unilateral fertilizer plant in Ethiopia to better align with these evolving market dynamics.
Considering the four-to-five-year timeframe since the project’s inception, what factors would you identify as the primary drivers of this delay? Is this stagnation attributable to shifts in the political landscape, or has it been caused by specific policy-related challenges?
This issue is not related to political or policy changes, nor is it a matter of right or wrong decisions. The development of value chains and the development of products follow separate paths. While OCP is not the direct source of supply, it has been a key technical contributor from the very beginning. When the government requested the establishment of four complexes, the responsibility for end-supply inputs rested with the government, as these were not within OCP’s capacity to provide.
During this process, a series of rigorous studies were conducted. The findings showed that the initial approach could not be implemented as assumed. As a result, the work shifted to a parallel pathway focused on developing local TSP granulation. However, once the process moved from assumptions to detailed feasibility studies and granular analysis, the results indicated that this option was not economically viable. This led to a clear separation into two distinct approaches, based on a shared understanding of the constraints involved.
Beyond the Dire Dawa initiative, has OCP partnered with the Ethiopian government on any other projects of a similar scale or nature?
Yes, but while many of these initiatives are starting from the ground up, we currently have five planning units under lease. Our focus is on supporting local initiatives that face operational challenges by prioritizing the development of OC-MASSA. Through this, we aim to revitalize and support customized suppliers, helping them recover and achieve stability. Although the journey over the past four to five years has involved building from scratch, our progress has significantly exceeded expectations. However, to transition into full-scale commercial production as per our existing agreements, the government must now provide the necessary off-take guarantees.
Recent developments indicate a notable shift in Ethiopia’s fertilizer procurement, with a portion of sourcing moving from Morocco to China. Does this transition reflect OCP’s operational performance or supply capacity? To what extent is OCP currently positioned to fulfill Ethiopia’s total national demand for fertilizer?
OCP participates in international tenders and primarily supplies products that complement national fertilizer resources, such as NPS and NPS Plus. When the government changes the source product from NPS to DAP, the cost increases significantly. In addition, it is not possible to shift production from one product to another on short notice, particularly when demand is high, because production lines are committed well in advance. By the time the government decides to shift to DAP our production lines are often already fully allocated, making it impossible to meet the additional demand through the same international tender process.
Why the sudden change?
First, the timing of the government’s tender purchases is often not known in advance. While the government has the full right to change its expectations and procurement decisions as it sees fit, such changes are typically communicated only at the final stage of the procurement process. As a result, this information remains unavailable until the last moment, limiting the ability of suppliers to plan or adjust accordingly.
