Abstract:

Vertisols, covering 12.7 million ha area in Ethiopia, are mostly underutilized in the traditional farming systems. Since its inception in 1986, the Joint Vertisol Project (JVP) has made significant strides in developing appropriate technologies for managing Vertisols. The potential for raising crop productivity by 60% or more has been convincingly demonstrated at selected Vertisol locations. Simple animal drawn implement for formation of broadbeds and furrows, early planting and improved soil fertility management technologies have started reaching the farmer's fields. The collaborative mode of functioning of JVP partners has also matured over the years. During the next 5 years, JVP envisages increased research and training attention on soil and watershed management and crop - livestock interactions while promoting on-farm verification and extension activities in new areas of Ethiopia. The technologies developed by JVP may find use in other African countries (e.g.Sudan) as well.