With the impending Meher season, lawmakers' focus shifts to the distribution of fertilisers. The conversation during the Ministry of Agriculture's nine-month performance report has shifted from purchasing to distribution this year. While officials were content with the historic success of importing more than double the amount of fertiliser compared to last year, members of the Standing Committee for Agricultural Affairs chaired by Solomon Lale had concerns about the delivery.

"All the hard work will be rendered futile," said Solomon.

Solomon believes the Ministry's control of improved seeds and fertiliser distribution mechanisms should reach down to the kebele and wereda levels to ease farmers' frustration, which he felt during sight visits.

"These are the sources of farmers' anguishes," he said.

The Ministry changed its procurement strategy for fertiliser this year through a newly formed Board which includes officials such as Mamo Mihretu, governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE); Alemu Sime (PhD), minister of Transport & Logistics; Alemtsehay Pawlos, chief of Cabinet; Semereta Sewasew, state minister for Finance; and Abie Sano, president of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE). This strategy coincided with a global drop in fertiliser prices, which allowed them to spend 20 billion Br less on fertiliser despite an increment in quantity and an early procurement date.

MPs confronted Ministry officials over shortfalls in meeting fertiliser distribution targets, improved seed procurement, and coffee export objectives. They were able to meet 16pc of the fertiliser distribution targets, about 38pc of nearly a million quintals improved seed procurement plan, and less than the 1.2 billion dollars coffee export target.

About 6.2 million quintals (52pc) of the imported fertiliser had been distributed until May 13, 2024, according to Sophia Kassa (PhD), state minister. But for her, the discussion which has evolved from procurement of fertiliser the previous year to delivery is a milestone by itself. She noted the surge in the distribution since the report was submitted to parliament due to the rise in demand in the Meher farming season.

"Our distribution followed seasonal cultivation patterns," Sofia said, "We have reached all our destinations."

The chairman intervened, sharing discrepancies in fertiliser distribution, particularly in Central Ethiopia and certain parts of the Amhara regional states. A few other members echoed the concern with locations of their own.

Alemu Jemberu, an incumbent MP from Amhara Regional State, said that farmers in northern Shewa weredas with over 100,000 people have not received fertiliser. Another MP pondered if the increased attention given to wheat had disrupted the previous cycles of fertiliser deliveries by reflecting on the experiences of potato farmers from Arsi Zone, Oromia Regional State. Wheat coverage from last year has increased by three million hectares, accounting for 42pc of the total farmland developed through irrigation.

The only opposition member in the Committee, Bartema Fikadu from Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice (EZEMA) warned that the distribution issue may persist if not addressed adequately. He recalled last year's performance report where Ministry officials reported that fertiliser would reach all farmers by the end of the year.

"It has not reached the farmers," he emphasised.