Farmers Union importing fertilizer with 220 million birr

Addis Ababa, March 19, 2008 (WIC) - Addis Ababa, March 19 (WIC) – Erer Farmers Union said it has purchased fertilizer with 220 million birr to enhance productivity. Union General Manager Kassahun Abera said the union has procured 250,000 quintals of DAP fertilizer from a German-based fertilizer manufacturing company. He said the union put the order last month as it obtained loan from the Bishoftu branch Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. The fertilizer to be imported via Djibouti within 45 days would contribute to the economic growth of the state by boosting productivity of farmers, the general manager noted. The union has also been supplying 6,000 quintals of select seeds and grain for farmers and residents at a reasonable price, he added. Established with 190,000 birr capital nine years ago, Erer Farmers Union has at present 12 million birr capital, it was learnt. (END) Videotape Available AA

(c) Walta Information Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia