Despite a substantial boost in budget and import volumes, farmers may contend with fertiliser shortages that could impact agricultural productivity in the coming farming season. The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) allocated 1.3 billion dollars and 156 billion Br to procure 2.4 million tonnes of DAP and Urea fertilisers for the year, a 21pc increase from the previous fiscal year. Yet, the supply continues to fall short of demands by regional states, revealing a structural issue in imports and distribution.

A board chaired by Agriculture Minister Girma Amentie (PhD) oversees the procurement and distribution of fertiliser. It includes high-ranking officials such as Central Bank Governor Mamo Mihretu; Transport & Logistics Minister Alemu Sime (PhD); Cabinet Affairs Minister Alemtsehay Pawlos; State Minister for Finance Semereta Sewasew; and Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) President Abie Sano.

Despite the high-level oversight and increased funds, regional allocations have been uneven.

According to Takele Kuruenda, input supply director at the Oromia Bureau of Agriculture, the volume of fertiliser allocated is low compared to the land to be farmed. Oromia Regional State, which requested 19.9 million quintals, has been allocated 10.5 million quintals, meeting 53pc of its demand. The shortfall is a source of concern for a regional state with extensive agricultural land and a large farming population.

Last year, the Amhara Regional State requested 13 million quintals but received only eight million. This year, the regional state lowered its request to eight million quintals, but it remains unclear how much it will receive.

"The demand from farmers, including commercial growers, is high," said Assefa Tilahun (PhD), an agricultural economist. "But, supply remains low."

However, some regional states fare better than others. The Sidama Regional State received 88pc of its request last year and has been assured it will receive its full request of 300,000 quintals this year.

"We've 92 unions ready to distribute the fertiliser efficiently," said Leta Legesse, agricultural input director for the Sidama Regional Agriculture Bureau.

Tigray Regional State is set to receive one million quintals, fulfilling its demand without any reduction. According to Abera Kedenew, deputy head of the Tigray Bureau of Agriculture, this marks an improvement from last year when the regional state requested 900,000 quintals but was provided only 700,000. If provided in full, the current allocation would be utilised over 1.3 million hectares of farmland.

Gambela Regional State faces a severe shortage. This year, the regional state's allocation is only 20pc of the 300,000 quintals requested. The regional officials plan to distribute the fertiliser through four unions, but the limited supply raises concerns about agricultural output.

"Most farmers could not access fertiliser due to low quotas last year," Abella Obongo (PhD), agricultural input director of the Gambela Agriculture Bureau, told Fortune.

Benishangul Gumuz Regional State requested 446,000 quintals and is due to receive around 52pc. The amount is similar to what it received last year for 1.1 million hectares of farmland. The regional officials encourage farmers to use animal and plant waste compost, preparing four million quintals of compost fertiliser.

"It's climate-smart agriculture that can keep farmland productive for up to three years without additional chemical inputs," said Babekir Halifa, head of the regional agriculture bureau.

However, the transition to organic fertilisers is not without limitations. According to the agricultural economist Assefa, while compost is a sustainable alternative, it is not a quick fix, and producing compost at scale requires resources and training.