ETH SOIL - BIO-POWER FOR HEALTHY SOILS

The World Without Hunger Conference is scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 5 to 7 November 2024. It is co-organized by UNIDO with the African Union Commission, the Government of Ethiopia, and with the technical assistance of FAO. The German Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Chem Özdemir, will participate alongside numerous Ministers of the African Union. Especially the first day of the conference is devoted to the challenges which also drive the ETH Soil project’s transformational agenda: food security, value addition (through the employment of un-/underused agricultural residues) and countering climate change. You may explore the agenda at https://lnkd.in/daPDdGJU. 🌾 Day 1: Challenges and solutions to combat hunger and food security Issues 💸 Day 2: Mobilizing investments for sustainable food security initiatives 🌐 Day 3: Global action against hunger 📑 Agenda: https://lnkd.in/daPDdGJU 🎥 Mainstage Livestream: https://lnkd.in/db4nY6Bq 🎥 Side Events Livestream: https://lnkd.in/dnxhTKct | African Union | FAO | bmz.de/en hashtag #WorldWithoutHunger hashtag #SustainableDevelopment hashtag #EndHun

Last week, our Artisan C-Sink study tour accompanied by Annett Pollex and Sophia Bothe with representatives of Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopia, Bureau of Agricultural Oromia, oari oromia agricultural research institute, and Jimma University and guided by a team of Circular Bionutrient Economy Network and PlantVillage headed off from #Nairobi to Koriema (Kenya) in the Baringo county where it kicked-off with presentations from the PlantVillage on the C-Sink manager role and Global Artisanal Accreditation Process. During the last week, the tour participants were given the opportunity to meet PlantVillage’s practitioners who work on their own fields, with a cooperative or communities. They met inspiring people who use invasive species or crop residues to create biochar-based fertiliser as amendment for depleted soil and a carbon sink at the same time. The demonstration of the PlantVillage app for production documentation - necessary for carbon crediting - showed the importance innovative approaches. Participants of the Artisan C-Sink study tour gained valuable insights in applied strategies and procedures of biomass mobilisation and pre-treatment. The participants were especially impressed by the biochar production from maize straw employing an automated #KonTiki tower. The apparent interest and commitment from CECM for #Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Hon Edward Sawe, who also participated in the field visit, provides strong support and helps to pave the way for these agricultural transformations. We thank our participants and hosts for a very successful study tour and look forward to put all the new experiences and knowledge into action. Project page ETH-Soil: www.eth-soil.com Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) Kerstin Wilde Wiebke Wedekind Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopia: Mulugeta Abera Takele and Geremu Negera Bureau of Agriculture Oromia: Eshetu Legesse Gebrehanna and bacha mekonnen IQQO oari oromia agricultural research institute: Tilahun Abera and Kefyalew Assefa Jimma University: milkiyas ahmed and Bayu Dume(PhD) DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH: Sophia Bothe, Annett Pollex, Getachew Eshete Circular Bionutrient Economy Network: Erick Opiyo Abala, Soliver Ché Fusi, Titus Langat, Samuel Thuo Mungai, Kamau Okere City: Ojok Okello PlantVillage: John Mayieka, Tracy Amondi, Lawrence Ombwayo, MERCY ACHIENG, Wachiye Brian #ETH_Soil

On their first day of class, Jimma University and DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH congratulate the 14 recipients of the #ETH_Soil scholarship. Starting from 21st October 2024 and over a period of four semesters, the students specialize in #bioenergy/ #biogas technology within the Sustainable Energy Engineering M.Sc. The programme will significantly contribute to sustainably developing key competences in the bioenergy sector in #Ethiopia. Project page ETH-Soil: www.eth-soil.com Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) Kerstin Wilde Wiebke Wedekind Shewangizaw Werkagegnehu Demissie Dua’a Al-Laseh Mohammad Al-Addous Markus Lenhart

The ETH-Soil project is represented at the Global Bioeconomy Summit in Kenya! Within the #ETH_Soil project we develop innovative solutions for #soil amelioration and clean #energy utilising residual #biomass|es and thereby contributing to a circular #bioeconomy. Our colleagues at DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH work on a wide variety of bioeconomy solutions including #waste management, #geodata analysis, #biorefinery, biogenic #silica and #cookstove development. DBFZ Scientists Dr. Annett Pollex and Sophia Bothe of ETH-Soil will present these products and services at the Global Bioeconomy Summit (GBS2024) in #Nairobi, Kenya from 23 – 24 October. We are excited about the opportunity to share our project idea and achievements with researchers, innovators and decision-makers from around the world. Directly after the conference, Annett and Sophia will embark on a study tour on Artisan C-Sink Crediting for #biochar. The study tour is organised by Ithaka Institute and Circular Bionutrient Economy Network for ETH-Soil and our partners from #Ethiopia. Together with our colleagues from IQQO and Jimma University as well as representatives from Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture and Bureau of Agriculture Oromia, they will meet with practitioners in Kenya who have gathered important experiences – including the use of digital tools. Project page ETH-Soil: www.eth-soil.com #ETH_Soil #Bioenergy #Fertilizer #Soil #Biochar #Ethiopia #Africa Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)

On the 24th of September, Mr. Eshetu Legesse and Mr. bacha mekonnen from the Bureau of Agriculture Oromia implemented an #ETH_Soil Steering Committee Meeting in Addis Abeba. Zonal representatives from the ETH Soil pilot zones (West Arsi, East Shoa and Jimma) prepared presentation on the implementation progress and challenges encountered. The ETH Soil project manager from DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH, Kerstin Wilde, and the Project Coordinator, Dr. Getachew Eshete Beyene, followed the presentations and discussions. On behalf of the IQQO, the Natural Resource Director, Mr Kefyalew Assefa Geja’a was present. The involved Jimma University researchers, Dr. Abebe Niguissie and Dr. Milkiyas Ahmet, sadly, were prevented from online participation as the BoA Oromia internet connection was out of order. IQQO and Jimma University had prepared more than 100t of high-quality #biochar and sizeable quantities of biochar-based #fertilizer|s. These materials were handed over to BoA Oromia partners in the pilot Woredas.   According to the reports, awareness raising as well as the training of zonal experts, development agents and farmers on the production and application of biochar-based fertilizers was handled differently in each of the pilot woredas. In Kofele, prior GIZ ISFM and BoA Oromia promotion of #vermicompost had motivated many farmers to produce their own #compost. After the training, they could easily mix it with #biochar and later apply it to highly acidic fields. In AT/J/Kombolcha the situation was more difficult without prior interventions and a volatile security situation. In Dedo (Jimma Zone), a large variety of composting materials were mobilised by farmers for the mixing of BBF. Overall, the zonal officers observed a very high satisfaction of the pioneer farmers with the newly introduced #technology. After only 2 to 4 weeks, most farmers already registered distinct differences of plant growth after BBF application. All ETH Soil partners look forward to the further development of crops and yield measurements later this year. Project page ETH-Soil: www.eth-soil.com #ETH_Soil #Bioenergy #Fertilizer #Soil #Biochar #Ethiopia #Africa Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)

Theoretical training laboratory training in 2023 was complemented last week at the IQQO Batu Soil Research Center. This time, Prof. Dr. Bruno Glaser from Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg and Dr. Bethelhem Mekonnen from DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH implemented practical training on different extraction methods for plant-available micro nutrients. With researchers from several IQQO Research Centres and Jimma University, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, a practical comparison test of water and DTPA extraction of ten different soils available in the #laboratory was implemented. The optimization of AAS sensitivity (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric Method) was a major challenge. Only after adequate measures taken, the proper calibration of all elements and measurement of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn could be conducted successfully. Participants also exercised the measurement of ammonium, nitrate and potassium with the help of field laboratory equipment provided earlier by DBFZ. Lastly, detailed laboratory protocols for the colorimetric determination of ammonium, nitrate, boron, and sulfate were presented and discussed. Towards the end of his visit, Prof. Bruno Glaser also supported the Jimma University partners with maintenance of an ICP-MS. After installation in 2020, the JU colleagues, according to Dr. Milkyas Ahmed, experienced automatic instrument shut-downs. Some testing revealed that the turbo pump #oil needed to be replaced and the penning gauge needed calibration. All partners were happy to have made another step towards strengthened capacities for the formulation of #biochar-based #fertilizer|s and #soil monitoring. Project page ETH-Soil: www.eth-soil.com #ETH_Soil #Bioenergy #Fertilizer #Soil #Biochar #Ethiopia #Africa Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH Kerstin Wilde

DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH and Jimma University (JU) partnered in #ETH_Soil to permanently develop capacities in the area of #bioenergy and #biogas in #Ethiopia. The new specialization stream in the Sustainable #Energy Engineering M.Sc. at Jimma Institute of Technology (JiT) is the first of ist kind in Ethiopia. On October 5th 2024 56 students took a competitive entry exam to qualify for one of 14 full scholarships for the programme's first cohort. DBFZ and JU are looking forward to welcoming the students to class on 21st October 2024! Project page ETH-Soil: www.eth-soil.com #ETH_Soil #Bioenergy #Fertilizer #Soil #Biochar #Ethiopia #Africa Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) Kerstin Wilde Wiebke Wedekind Mohammad Al-Addous Shewangizaw Werkagegnehu Demissie

On 11th and 12th September 2024 the #DBFZ Annual Conference drew attention to the topic of “Multi-talented #biomass: basic resource, carbon source and #energy option”. In her poster presentation, Dr. Annett Pollex explained the two main functions of #biochar in the ETH-Soil project: for #soil amelioration and as a #carbon sink. An additional poster by Dr. Mirjam Müller, Dr. Özge Mutlu and Dr. Dennis Krüger provided insights on the project’s approach to #cookstove development employing the TLUD principle (top-lit updraft). Both posters were met with great interest and spurred further discussions. We are looking forward to more occasions for exchange within the scientific and the #bioeconomy community. www.eth-soil.com

One of ETH-Soils's goal is to provide clean and #sustainable cooking #energy for rural households. By employing clay as building material and biogenic #residues as fuel, the ETH-Soil #cookstove model uses readily available, cheap resources to work towards healthy and climate-friendly technologies. Our researchers and technicians, who are currently developing an improved cookstove model, based the design on the needs in #Ethiopia. The final product will be safe, low-cost, energy-efficient, easily maintained and made from local materials. Furthermore, as a by-product #biochar is produced that can be used as a soil amendment or #fuel. From July 29 to August 6, 2024, DBFZ Scientist Dr. Ing. Clement Owusu Prempeh embarked on a strategic mission to Ethiopia with the primary objective of advancing our clean cooking initiatives. The trip focused on collating information on registering and licensing our innovative cookstove model as well as building relationships with key stakeholders to support local production, distribution, and promotion. The third objective of the trip was the assessment of local production capabilities. Visits to various production centers and clay sites across #Oromia provided a comprehensive understanding of the local production landscape and capacity as well as a glimpse into Ethiopia’s rich pottery traditions. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and will continue to work closely with our partners towards a more healthy and sustainable future. Read the entire travel report on the ETH-Soil-website. Project page ETH-Soil: www.eth-soil.com #ETH_Soil #Bioenergy #Fertilizer #Soil #Biochar #Ethiopia #Africa Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH Kerstin Wilde Jan Kossack Jimma Institute of Technology (JiT) SNV Ethiopian Clean Cooking Alliance (ECCA)

On the 2nd of July a Steering Committee Meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) provided representatives from all German-funded projects with the opportunity to get a briefing on the new #Ethiopia|n agricultural policy. On behalf of the responsible State Minister, H.E. Mr. Meles Mekonnen, Prof. Ali Mohammed presented the main focus areas. From the perspective of ETH Soil implementation, a strong alignment of the project concept and the new policy can be diagnosed as   - Fertilizers should be produced domestically instead of imported and shall ill focus on #ecosystem-based integrated soil fertility improvement; - The role of private investors and cooperatives in #fertilizer production, supply and marketing will be increased; - A fertilizer loan service and transport system will be developed; - A quality and control system will be established for solid soil fertilizers and other #soil fertility and health improvement inputs.   Already in May 2024, the ETH SOIL project manager, Kerstin Wilde, was invited by Mr. bacha mekonnen (Bureau of Agriculture, Oromia) and Mr. Kefyalew Eshetu (IQQO, Director Natural Resources) to visit implementation efforts in #Oromia. Like in Shabe Sombo, Jimma Zone (see pictures), #earthworm multiplication and demonstration centers for #vermicompost production are now being established in all Zones and Woredas of the region. The compost is used to nurture seedlings (here: improved #avocado) while the worms are distributed to farmers. Within the ETH Soil project’s pilot Woredas nutrient recycling is optimized through #biochar addition to #compost: the full spectrum of nutrients in held safe in spite of heavy rains. Moreover, the strategy of liming acidic soils will be difficult to implement in numerous regions due to very high transportation costs from #Ethiopia|n lime sources. Here, high-temperature and strongly alkaline biochar can become a preferred alternative. In order to safeguard a sufficient supply of plant-accessible phosphorus in these cases, bonechar can be added that is already produced by Jimma University colleagues on a small scale. Project page ETH-Soil: www.eth-soil.com #ETH_Soil #Bioenergy #Fertilizer #Soil #Biochar #Ethiopia #Africa Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH