The Government of Ethiopia has subsidized 21 Billion Birr for the purchase of fertilizer during this Ethiopian crop-season 2015/16, according to Ministry of Agriculture.
Briefing journalists about the activities to supply the market with agricultural inputs and machinery today, Agriculture Minister Girma Amente said that efforts are well underway to sustain the achievements registered in agricultural production.
According to him, 12.8 million quintals of fertilizer has been bought for the 2015/16 crop-season to increase agricultural production.
With the two million quintals remaining from last year, some 15 million quintals of fertilizer will be supplied to farmers for summer irrigation, belg and the main rainy season.
Out of the stated amount, over 30 percent of the fertilizer has reached the port of Djibouti and about 90 percent of this transported to regional central warehouse, he said.
The government is subsidizing fertilizer in order to alleviate the burden of farmers facing sharp increase of fertilizer due to the Russia-Ukraine war.
The minister revealed that 15 billion Birr was similarly subsidized last crop-season.
The subsidy increased to 21 billion Birr this crop-season due to various reasons, including transportation and foreign exchange, according to ENA.
The subsidy will significantly increase production and productivity, Girma stated, adding that efforts are also well underway to avail improved seed and agro-chemicals.