Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa 1
N2Africa - www.N2Africa.org
N≡N  NH4
+
Assessment of progresses towards results
Endalkachew Wolde-Meskel, ILRI
N2Africa-Ethiopia Partners’ Progress Review Meeting, ILRI, Addis Ababa
30 November-1 December 2017

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa 2
Outline
- Introduction – when technology escapes the lab
- Results with Implementation of the project
- Progress towards results /Exit strategy

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa 3
The underlying problem - poor soil fertility
Legumes for Sustainable Intensification
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
F.bean C. Bean Chickpea Soybean
YIELD(T/HA)
TARGET PULSE CROP
.
Farmer's Exp't Plot
Yield Gap!

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa 4
2013
2014
2015
N2Africa
We have demonstrated the Yield Enhancing effects of
N2Africa legumes production technology
Where?
• Amhara
• B. Gumuz
• Oromia
• SNNPR
31 Woredas,
30 partners
Target crops →

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa 5
Predicted means for chickpea grain yield (kg ha-1) with P, I and P+I applications at
different year/Woredas in Ethiopia

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa 6
Cumulative probability of increase (Kg ha-1) in chickpea grain yield
compared with control, Ethiopia, 2012 - 2015
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
-500 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
CumulativeProbability(%)
Absolute Response to P &/or I (kg/ha) Yield of P and/or I minus control yeidl]
= I
= P
= I+P28 % obtained yield advantage
of 0.2 – 0.5t over control yield
Research, why <10% yield with I+P
Yield advantage of ≥ 1t over the
control yield to 25.2 % of the target
farmers
37.4% of target farmers got yield advantage
of 0.5 - 1t over the control yield

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa
Better Inoculation response where the soil N is low
7
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35 0.40
Grainyield(kgha-1)
Soil Total N content (%)
-I
+I
Linear (-I mean)
Linear (+I mean)
Y
1696
2184
1424
1573
Relationship between total soil N content (%) and chickpea grain yield (kg ha-1) with and
without inoculation

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa 88
+R , +P
- R, +P
Farmers lose the benefit of P fertilizer without sufficient N
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Treatmentyield(kg/ha)
Control yield (kg/ha)
P-fertilizer
Inoculant
P-fertilizer+Inoculant
+P+I 2013
+P 1714
+I 1572
Control 1415
Mean effects (Kg/ha)
on-farm trials (common bean)
Inoculation makes P economic!!

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa 9
More effective strains identified & further search underway
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
GrainYield(kg/ha)
Candidate strains and controls
Rhizobiology research : - Isolation, authentication, search for more elite strains continued
- V by S multilocational trials

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa 10
Scaling up of Available Technology

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa
Milestone Indicator Ba
sel
ine
Targ
et
2017
Cumulativ
e target at
grant end
Achie
ved
2017
Assess
ment
Level
Rating
(use 6
level scale)
Objective 1
1.3. Partners along the legume input and output value
chains cooperate actively towards achieving the overall
N2Africa goals.
# of partnerships developed and active.
1.5.1. By Q4 of year 1, country-specific research and
dissemination implementation plans formalized, including
an exit strategy.
# of specific research and dissemination plans formalized.
1.7.1. By Q4 of year 1, a research plan, engaging at least
5 PhD and 10 MSc candidates, developed.
# of Project wide research plans to engage PhD and MSc students developed
& # of PhD and MSc students (men/women) engaged.
1.4. By Q4 of year 5, at least 320 partners trained in
N2Africa technologies and approaches.
# of persons trained (gender disaggregated data) in N2Africa technologies and
approaches & # of N2Africa technologies (by type) in which the persons were
trained. (Note: Count the total number of persons trained from the collaborating
partners for dissemination. Disaggregate data by gender).
Objective 2
2.2. Dissemination partners attain/surpass the anticipated
number of households targeted and continue to engage in
legume intensification post-project.
# of target households (men/women) reached (outcome level: these farmers
continue to engage in legume intensification activities after participating in
dissemination activities).
Achieved On target to be achieved Not on target to be achieved
Assessment of progresses towards results !Key Milestones
Baseline
2014
Period Four Achieved at period Four end Grant End
Jan 2017 Dec 2017 Jan 2017 Dec 2017 Dec 2018
Target at period end Achieved at period end
Cumulative target at grant
end
1.3. Partners along the legume input and
output value chains cooperate actively
towards achieving the overall N2Africa
goals
1.4. By Q4 of year 5, at least 320 partners
trained in N2Africa technologies and
approaches
2.2. Dissemination partners attain/surpass
the anticipated number of households
targeted and continue to engage in legume
intensification post-project

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa
Implementation (the PPPs – the main strategy)
0 2 4 6 8 10
Collaborative/
cooperation
Sub-contractual/
under collaborative
Agreements
• 14 main partnerships with signed agreements
• 7 PPP clusters functionalized, 4 main models
0 2 4 6
Input-Supplyer Driven
Nucleus Farm/…
Buyer-Driven
Collective-Producer…
• All partnerships have clear pillars and areas of support
• Relationships established, legume value chain platform (collective planning & review)
• Key interventions implemented (dissemination, capacity building, input supply…..
However: Exit Strategy
• How do we consolidate efforts and strategize to achieve the rest of the results? New
farmers? Access to inputs? Output markets? ….
• How will relationships continue after N2Africa? How strong are the private sector to lead

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa 13
0
20000
40000
60000
80000
2014
2015
2016
2017
6250
17500
28750
25000
4008
18992
12000
27000
4008
23000
35000
62000
Numberoffarmers
Years
Targeted Reached cumulative
Overall farmers reached & Projection
Achieved & the way forward Exit Strategy
• Achieved + 8.5 % of planned 2015, & - 2016
• Increase between 2015-2016 (52%), >7x b/n 2014-16
• Adaptation trials: 27% (accepted by partners/ farmers as the best)
• Field days 72% (accepted as major approach to reach more)
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
Media (events)
Technology evaluation (events)
FTDG
Cross visits
Extension materials (copies)
Adaptation
Demonstration
Training
Field days
Number of farmers
Dissemination approaches used (# of farmers reached, 2015)
• Appreciated by partners/farmers as best approaches for farmer testing and reaching
out to more Exit Strategy
• Strategize to reach out to more farmers using accepted approaches

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa 14
Capacity Building
3 different types – Long-term formal training, – ToTs and – target framers
• PhD – 3 [Rhizobiology, Socio-economics and feed analysis(partial)]
• MSc – 9 (7completed, 2 near completion – Rhizobiology, Agronomy, soils, Scio-Econ)
• Only 1 female
0
100
200
300
400
2014 2015
234
174
75 86
309
260
NumberofTrainees
Year
Male
Female
total
ToT
1759
4919
3297
6248
611
1151
803
1562
2370
6070
4101
7,811
2014 2015 2016 2017
Numberoffarmers
Years
total
Female
Male
Overall – 560 ToTs (2014 – 15), 40% Female
– 20,352 Smallholders (25.5% Female)
Content:
- Agronomic practices, quality seed production, post harvest
- Biofertilizer, inoculation techniques, management ..
- Agro-input Business, use and handling of inoculants
- Diffusion of innovations, introducing N2A plans
• Good Female participation, against project level of 47%
• Good training content
• Main target groups : extension officers, lead farmers, FCU
• Excellent participatory
• Timing of training (give before season starts)
Exit strategy?

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa 15
Input-Output Models– PPP’s
Frequently used model-Producer Collective
Learnings
• > 63% of partnerships have
producer-collective models
• FCU Overall strength differ (the
model requires strong cooperatives
and Unions)
• What are the key issues in the use of
this model? Important element for
discussion as related to the Exit
strategy
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Agreements
Types of Models
Producer Collective-Driven Model
Nucleus Farmers Driven Model
Input Supplier / Lender Driven Model
Buyer-Driven Model – Outgrower Schemes
- FCU, buyers, MBI
- Balegreen, Anno?
- MBI,FCU, Anno?
- Tsehay -Mama

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa
Spill-over: N2Africa legume production technology
• Tsehay – Mama Unions relations exemplary
• Tsehay installed feed factory (oil pressing ?)
(arose from the need to source large quantity of soya grains)
- > 240 ha land planted to Soya (overwhelmed Sesame)

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa 17
Inoculants production and distribution in Ethiopia Increasing
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17
Sachets
Cropping season
Production Distribution
Sales= 17 fold
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
70000
80000
90000
2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17
Sachets
Cropping season
NSTC
Produced Distributed
• Farmers recognize inoculants as useful input,
• Ensure timely supply and quality
Exit Strategy

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa
0
100
200
300
400
2014 2015 2016 2017
Quintals
Seed Fertilizer
Trends in Input distribution (N2Africa only), way forward
0
2000
4000
6000
2014 2015 2016 2017
Sachets
Inoculants
N2A supports Seed Multiplication (Certified & Basic)
• PCs & FCU ( 334 (2016) and 440 (2017) farmers),
Sidama Elto, Thsehay, Ghion, Chewaka, Uta wayu…
• Commercial farms – Balegreen, Anno
• No agro-dealer in seed business
Madam, how much
seeds? Nassir ? H.
dume? Ararti? Habru?
• Lack of efficient seed (Input)
demand information system a
major constraint to food security
• N2Africa working with
Shayashone consultant using
its smallholders database

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa 19
• Mistrust among b/n cooperatives / farmers and
buyers (mainly b/s of fluctuating grain prices )
• In efficient bulking processes (limited storage and
post harvest issues)
• Focus attention to integrate output market to
specific partners (buyers) to support cooperatives
Access to output market – way forward to exit
• PPP arrangement must outsmart the traditional
market outlet (esp. chickpea, faba bean, common bean)
From: AGRILINK - DUBAI <pankil@agrilink.ae>
Date: Mon, Apr 10, 2017 at 8:17 AM
Subject: Required 500 tons Soya Beans
To: Tamiru Amanu <tamiruamanu@gmail.com
Date : 10/04/2017
Dear Sir,
We want to buy 500-1000 M.tons of Soyabean from Ethiopia 2017 Crop.
Specifications :
Purity: 98% Min. acceptable up-to 95% with 1:1 discount
Oil: 19% Min.
Moisture: 10% Max.
Protein: 36% Max.
Sound Seeds : 96 % Min.
Immature Seeds : 4 % Max.

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa
• Effort continue
• Establish concrete
Model for the use of
labour-saving tools
Labor Saving tools, Progress & way forward
3.4.1. By Q4 of year 2,
prototype labour-saving pre-
and post-harvest tools for
female farmers validated
Demonstrate
prototype pre and
post labor-saving
tools

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa
• Provides basis to assess project progress against targets
• ICT platform used for data collection, from 2015
• Data gaps still exist (collection and uploading )
• At most emphasis should be given the rest of the remain project period,
discuss exit to be strategized (to address data gaps)
M&E and the way forward

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa
Milestone Indicator Ba
sel
ine
Targ
et
2017
Cumulativ
e target at
grant end
Achie
ved
2017
Assess
ment
Level
Rating
(use 6
level scale)
Objective 1
1.3. Partners along the legume input and output value
chains cooperate actively towards achieving the overall
N2Africa goals.
# of partnerships developed and active.
1.5.1. By Q4 of year 1, country-specific research and
dissemination implementation plans formalized, including
an exit strategy.
# of specific research and dissemination plans formalized.
1.7.1. By Q4 of year 1, a research plan, engaging at least
5 PhD and 10 MSc candidates, developed.
# of Project wide research plans to engage PhD and MSc students developed
& # of PhD and MSc students (men/women) engaged.
1.4. By Q4 of year 5, at least 320 partners trained in
N2Africa technologies and approaches.
# of persons trained (gender disaggregated data) in N2Africa technologies and
approaches & # of N2Africa technologies (by type) in which the persons were
trained. (Note: Count the total number of persons trained from the collaborating
partners for dissemination. Disaggregate data by gender).
Objective 2
2.2. Dissemination partners attain/surpass the anticipated
number of households targeted and continue to engage in
legume intensification post-project.
# of target households (men/women) reached (outcome level: these farmers
continue to engage in legume intensification activities after participating in
dissemination activities).
Achieved On target to be achieved Not on target to be achieved
Assessment of progresses towards resultsKey Milestones
Baseline
2014
Period Four Achieved at period Four end Grant End
Jan 2017 Dec 2017 Jan 2017 Dec 2017 Dec 2018
Target at period end Achieved at period end
Cumulative target at grant
end
1.3. Partners along the legume input and
output value chains cooperate actively
towards achieving the overall N2Africa
goals
7 7 7
1.4. By Q4 of year 5, at least 320 partners
trained in N2Africa technologies and
approaches
>1000 >20,000
2.2. Dissemination partners attain/surpass
the anticipated number of households
targeted and continue to engage in legume
intensification post-project
45,000 ? 65,000

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa
Workshop Output Expected
23
Expected Outputs
1) Project progresses towards results developed, and achievements
assessed
2) Early risks and possible remedies for sustaining models and
approaches used in technology dissemination, legume input supply
and output marketing identified,
3) Final project exit strategy document detailing sustainability gaps
and strategic scenarios to sustain project initiatives developed
and shared with partners;
4) Key areas of activity implementations for 2018 identified and
consensus reached.

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa
Acknowledgments
To all N2Africa-Ethiopia Partners
SCS
FCU

Putting nitrogen fixation to work for smallholder farmers in Africa
Thank You
25