Managing fragile soils: A case study from North Wollo, Ethiopia

This paper analyses the soil fertility management practices employed by farmers in the Meket district of North Wollo, Ethiopia. The environment in this area is severely degraded, and people have to cope with frequent droughts and chronic food insecurity. The average farmer in this low potential area cultivates less than one hectare of land, grows most crops for household consumption and often relies on livestock as the sole source of cash income. As many households do not own any livestock, the only option left to poorer farmers is to migrate in search of employment.