OC-MASSA: A scalable fertilizer solution enhancing farmer productivity on acidic soils

BY LULSEGED WORKU
Worku Kurse, the main breadwinner for his family, faced low productivity that impacted his livelihood. Farming is his primary source of income for children’s school supplies, house repairs, and daily sustenance. Reflecting on his past, he recalls, “It used to be a big victory if we managed to get six quintals from one hectare.” Before OC-MASSA, farmers like him sowed seeds, scattering them across fields and accepting whatever harvest nature provided. This changed when agricultural researchers and OCP agronomists introduced new practices: treating acidic soils with OC-MASSA – a fertilizer combining phosphorus with liming effect, planting in rows instead of broadcasting, and applying Urea and OC-MASSA fertilizers at optimal rates. These innovations expanded farmers’ possibilities.

 

Tesfaye Malei, another farmer frustrated by poor harvests, struggled despite diligent land management. Soil acidity limited his yields. With OC-MASSA fertilizer, his productivity increased significantly, transforming his outlook on farming.

 

Selamyihun Kidanu (PhD), Director of Agronomy and Business Development at OCP Ethiopia, explains that “applying up to 30 quintals of lime per hectare is often logistically and economically unfeasible on steep, fragmented plots, as many acid-affected areas are located far from available lime sources. OC-MASSA was developed to address this bottleneck and make soil correction more accessible.”

 

Henok Tesfaye, Director of Wendogenet Agricultural Research Center, noted that the research center has been conducting extensive research on acidic soils for several decades. Traditionally, lime has been the primary technology used to address soil acidity; however, its recommended application rate of 20–30 quintals per hectare has made it difficult to scale across the country’s vast acidic soil areas. To overcome this challenge, the center in collaboration with OCP Ethiopia has been testing OC-MASSA, an innovative product that combines fertilizer with a liming effect and can be applied at a much lower rate of about 2 quintals per hectare. Field observations from the barley plots demonstrated remarkable crop performance.

 

Addisu Bezabih (PhD), Director of Agricultural Extension at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EARI), added that, in collaboration with OCP Ethiopia, the product has been tested on major crops including maize, wheat, and barley across different regions of the country. The results have been consistently encouraging, showing better crop performance and higher productivity. He emphasized that the barley field evaluation showcased today confirms OC-MASSA’s strong potential as a practical and scalable solution for managing acidic soils.

 

The Deputy Director General of the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority, Wondale Habtamu (PhD) highlights that OC-MASSA exemplifies Ethiopia’s shift toward a science-driven, private sector-enabled agricultural system. Historically, the fertilizer sector was tightly controlled by the government, limiting innovation and private investment. Now, the landscape is changing.

 

“In the past, agriculture was constrained by legislation and regulation,” he states. “Today, we are creating space for private investors and encouraging innovation, without compromising quality and safety.” He emphasizes that OC-MASSA underwent rigorous testing and met Ethiopian Standards Institute requirements before being approved for wider use.

 

Wondale describes OC-MASSA as more than a fertilizer; he calls it a “soil medicine,” highlighting its role in restoring soil health and boosting productivity.

 

Ethiopia’s highlands, above 1500 meters, are vital for the country’s agriculture. These rain-rich regions support Ethiopia’s economic activity, producing crops such as maize, wheat, teff, barley, oilseeds, and beans. They feed millions and sustain rural communities. However, beneath this fertile surface lies a significant challenge.

Soil acidity affects about 43% of Ethiopia’s arable land, especially in high-rainfall, high-altitude zones. It causes poor crop growth, weak roots, and lower yields, even when farmers use recommended fertilizers.

Decades of research confirm that liming, applying calcium carbonate, can neutralize soil acidity, restore nutrients, and increase yields. Governments and development agencies promote lime to treat thousands of hectares of land annually. Yet, in practice, large-scale lime application remains limited.

 

Why? Lime is bulky, requiring several tons per hectare. Transporting it across Ethiopia’s rugged terrain is costly, especially for remote smallholder farmers. Once on the farm, lime must be stored, handled, and spread evenly—a labor-intensive process that many farmers find prohibitively expensive. As a result, despite its proven effectiveness, lime use has fallen short of targets year after year.

 

This disconnect between scientific knowledge and practical application has left Ethiopia’s soil acidity largely unaddressed. The need for a scalable, practical solution became urgent. In response, agronomists asked: “Can soil acidity be managed more simply, cheaply, and at scale?”

 

This question led to a new approach, integrating acidity management into fertilizer formulations rather than relying solely on external lime application. The goal was to develop a fertilizer that could supply nutrients and neutralize acidity simultaneously, making it easier for farmers to adopt.

 

At the OCP Ethiopia Office, agronomists explored whether combining nutrient delivery with acidity correction could revolutionize soil management. The result was OC-MASSA, a specially formulated fertilizer designed for acidic soils.

 

OC-MASSA does not aim to replace lime but provides a practical alternative where lime is inaccessible or too costly. Its development involved extensive research and field testing. From 2019 to 2023, OCP Ethiopia collaborated with Ethiopia’s National Agricultural Research Institutions (EIAR and RARIs) to test OC-MASSA across multiple regions and cropping systems—focusing on staple crops like wheat, teff, and barley.

 

This testing included 54 multi-location, on-farm trials across Oromia, Amhara, and Benishangul-Gumuz during 2019/20 and 2020/21. Over 1,214 demonstrations took place between 2022 and 2024, engaging farmers on shared plots of about 10 hectares in regions such as Amhara, Oromia, Sidama, and South Ethiopia. These demonstrations let farmers see firsthand how OC-MASSA performs under real conditions, crucial for assessing practicality.

 

The trials covered key crops-wheat, teff, and barley-important for food security and rural incomes. The goal was to ensure OC-MASSA proved effective across Ethiopia’s diverse soils and farming systems. After rigorous testing, seven formulations showed promise, and two met Ethiopia’s standards, paving the way for large-scale adoption.

 

Field results were promising and consistent across regions and crops. Farmers experienced yield increases of 15-20% over conventional fertilizers like DAP or NPS, often approaching yields achieved with fertilizer-lime combinations. These results also led to cost savings of roughly 25-30%, greatly benefiting smallholder farmers operating on narrow margins.

 

Farmers’ feedback was invaluable. Farmers observed stronger crops, healthier tillering, and more uniform growth, leading to higher expected yields, up to 80 quintals per hectare for maize, 45 for wheat, and 25-30 for barley. Many described their soils as “tired” or “diseased” from years of untreated acidity. Seeing quick improvements within one season boosted their confidence and optimism.

 

Farmers praised OC-MASSA’s ease of use. Unlike lime, which requires transporting and spreading bulky material, OC-MASSA can be applied at planting, reducing labor, handling, and costs. This suited their realities, less drudgery, fewer expenses, and lower risks.

 

However, farmers raised concerns about supply and affordability. As demand grows, ensuring steady availability and competitive prices will be vital for broader adoption.

 

The large-scale cluster demonstrations conducted by OCP Ethiopia in collaboration with research institutes attracted strong interest from federal and regional government officials, who recognized OC-MASSA as a promising and scalable solution to soil acidity—an issue affecting nearly half of Ethiopia’s arable land. They emphasized that lime application rates are  too high in the range of 20-30 quintals and costly to address the issue comprehensively, and that OC-MASSA’s targeted, lower rate between 2-3 quintals, low-cost approach could accelerate progress.

 

OC-MASSA requires only about three quintals per hectare and can be produced and distributed more efficiently than lime. This shift signifies a move toward soil-specific, scientifically validated solutions that are accessible for farmers.

 

What started as localized trials has become a national movement. Farmers, scientists, and policymakers are working together—sharing knowledge, observing results, and building confidence in OC-MASSA. This collective effort underscores a key lesson: innovations rooted in local realities, backed by science, and scaled through participatory approaches are crucial for agricultural transformation.

 

Soil acidity threatens nearly 43% of Ethiopia’s land, jeopardizing long-term food security and rural livelihoods. While lime remains effective, logistical, financial, and labor barriers limit its large-scale use. OC-MASSA offers a practical, affordable, and scalable alternative to accelerate soil acidity management.

 

This innovation reflects a broader shift, designing solutions aligned with farmers’ realities, leveraging scientific advances, and fostering stakeholder collaboration. As Ethiopia aims for sustainable growth, such innovations will be essential delivering higher yields, lowering costs, and strengthening resilience.

 

Ethiopia’s agricultural journey, marked by challenges and breakthroughs, is exemplified by OC-MASSA. It stands as a symbol of what can be achieved when science meets practicality and farmers’ voices guide solutions. As climate pressures mount and food demands rise, Ethiopia’s adoption of tailored, scalable solutions like OC-MASSA offers a hopeful model, not only for itself but for other nations facing similar soil issues.

 

By transforming a long-standing obstacle into an opportunity for growth, Ethiopia demonstrates that sometimes, the simplest ideas, integrating acidity management into fertilizer, can have the most profound impact, transforming landscapes, livelihoods, and food systems for generations.