Empowering development agents as digitally enabled Harmonized Fertilizer and Agronomic Solutions (HaFAS) advisers in Ethiopia

Strengthening the capacity of Development Agents (DAs) to deliver digital agronomic advisory services is essential for translating agricultural research into actionable, farm-level recommendations in Ethiopia. In 2026, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, and regional research partners, conducted hands-on and cascade training on Harmonized Fertilizer and Agronomic Solutions (HaFAS). Training records documented 262 attendances, including 56 by women, with representation across 33 distinct district/locality names and 150 kebele entries. The training integrated the scientific principles of site-specific fertilizer recommendations with practical applications of the AgriMob mobile application and the web-based HaFAS Advisory Platform. Participants gained practical experience in generating crop- and location-specific fertilizer recommendations, interpreting fertilizer types and application rates, and communicating appropriate application timing and placement methods to farmers. The training also introduced conversational interfaces and batch-processing functionalities to facilitate advisory generation for individual and multiple farm plots. By connecting research-based digital solutions with frontline extension practices, the initiative sought to enhance the capacity of Development Agents to provide context-specific fertilizer advice while strengthening collaboration among agricultural research and extension institutions. The approach offers a practical and potentially scalable pathway for integrating digital fertilizer advisory services into Ethiopia’s public agricultural extension system, supporting more informed and locally relevant fertilizer management decisions.