What is EM?

Some fact about EM

EM was developed by Prof. T. Higa of the University of Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan in 1982. EM consists of three categories (70-80 kinds) of aerobic, facultative & anaerobic microorganisms. These microorganisms coexist and mutually benefit each other on symbiosis basis. They also attract and increase other microorganisms such as VA mycorrhizae, choderma and pseudomonas fluoresens in the soil. EM Research Organization (EMRO) was established and has been operational since 1994. EM is used in well over 120 countries in all the continents.

What is EM used for?

Effect on Soil
EM compost has the ability to establish good arable land capable of producing harvests many times the current yield and this can be achieved totally without the use of pesticides or fertilizers.
Crop production
Plants treated with EM have the following advantages:
- Very good root development of all plants
- Enhanced photosynthesis
- Plants become more resistant to drought
- Even growth of all plants
- More flowers and increased yield.
Water
Sewage can be treated for irrigation or for raising fish. It suppresses foul smell by reducing NH3/NO3/H2S in water and also reduces the rate of water-born diseases.
Animal feed
Enriching animal feed with EM makes the feed palatable and help to release nutrients that are locked in cellulose. Animals are turned healthy- No diarrhea or constipation with faster growth and better feed conversion ratio. Foul smell and flies are significantly reduced and it is reported that Salmonella Spp and E.coli are also suppressed. EM silage is most effective for animals.

What impact do they have on environment?

• EM is major medium for microbial inoculants

• EM are used for cleaning up chemical farms

• Major component in farming in a natural way (organic farming)

• EM suppressed foul smell- reduced stress (RS)

• Sewage can be treated for irrigation or for raising fish (RS)

• Reduction of NH3/NO3/H2S in water

• Water-borne diseases are suppressed

• EM Convert garbage into high quality compost

Who uses EM technology?

At present EM Technology is being tested and/or commercially used in 120 countries. It is adapted as national projects in Korea, Pakistan and Egypt and is sold as commercial product in Japan, SA, USA, Germany, Brazil and many others.

What are its expected results in developing countries?

In developed countries EM is used more as a means for pollution cleanup while in developing countries it is used to correct soil fertility, soil moisture holding capacity, livestock productivity and environmental cleansing. It is highly cost effective as compared to all other known means so far.

Expected benefits for Ethiopia

EM is not incompatible with the use of chemical fertilizer or mechanization. On the other hand, it is supplementary and mutually supporting when used in an effective and efficient manner.

Considering the prevailing situation of the country vis-à-vis low crop and livestock production and food security in general, EM can contribute to reversing the downward trend of poverty among the millions of small scale farmers by improving the soil fertility, livestock feed quality through improving (crop residue), and in recycling organic waste in cities and agro-industries.

The introduction of EM among the millions of small scale farmers can to a large extent, contribute towards breaking the chain effect of overgrazing which can be compensated with preparing EM silage from a wide range of crop residues, and land degradation could be improved by introducing EM compost on farms.

EM has very high potential associated with cash crops such as coffee which is producing massive byproduct that can be converted to valuable organic fertilizer. The same is true to most commercial farms such as tea, flower, sugar and vegetable states. Most of these byproducts could also be converted to animal feed and energy sources using EM.