New project builds capacity for climate-smart agriculture in Ethiopia

The scope of the ClimEtSan project, which is funded by the BMBF and the DAAD, is the production and use of compost consisting of human excrements, other organic waste materials and biochar, in order to create a feasible option for a climate-smart and sustainable agriculture in developing countries. The conversion of human excrements into a hygienically harmless and valuable fertilizer could enhance the sanitary situation, the productivity and income of smallholders but also the resilience of agriculture towards the adverse impacts of climate change. Additionally the treatment of excrements, biochar and other organic waste material could reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Coordinated by Prof. Nicolas Brüggemann, Dr. Katharina Prost and the cooperation partner Dr. Dong-Gill Kim, a research team of German and Ethiopian researchers and other cooperation partners will establish an experimental farm at the Wondo Genet College (Hawassa University, Ethiopia). This place will give Ethiopian and international students and researchers the opportunity of practical training and research on ecological sanitation, organic waste management, appropriate technology, composting, biochar, and climate-smart agriculture.