Farmers' knowledge of soil fertility and local management strategies in Tigray, Ethiopia

Declining soil fertility is a major constraint on crop production in the semi-arid highlands of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. In order to design more appropriate research and development programmes geared to improving integrated nutrient management practices, researchers need to understand farmers' knowledge and perceptions of soil fertility. This working paper presents the results of a participatory survey designed to characterise and analyse local knowledge about soil fertility and soil fertility management practices. The survey was carried out in two villages in Tigray.