Revitalize Your Soil, Enhance Your Yield
Our AG Lime is Organic Solution for Acidic soil.
Combat soil acidity and boost your farm’s output with our effective and affordable lime solutions.
AgLime Solution Ethiopia PLC
We are your partner in boosting agricultural productivity. Our high-quality agricultural lime and expert services revitalize acidic soils. We are committed to enhancing farm yields and empowering Ethiopian farmers.
With a focus on sustainability and innovation, we offer comprehensive solutions tailored to your specific needs. Join us in building a greener, more prosperous Ethiopia.
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AgLime Solution Ethiopia PLC
The present ‘AgLime Solution Ethiopia PLC.’ is an offspring of the ‘Marble Production PLC’ that has been working on the production and distribution of marble products.
The mother company has been working at the Bisheftu area in Oromia Regional State since 2008 by collecting raw materials from around the country, particularly from North Shewa of the Nile Gorge in Oromia region and from Benshangul Gumz region.
In the marble production process, we have developed ample experience on the production of AgLime; on identification of quarry sites of relevant quality, processing and using it for agricultural soil reclamation. Following our experience, we are now ventured on establishment of AgLime production in different places of the country where the raw materials are available and where easy access to farmers can be made.
The new ‘AgLime Mining and Production PLC’ has been established since 2023 with first establishing a production site at Dejen area of east Gojam Zone in Amhara Region, Guder in Oromia Administrative Region situated 135Km west of Addis Ababa and Kella, Gurage Zone in Southern Nations Administrative Region situated 110 Km south of Addis Ababa.
The present project of developing three ag-lime production plants with a total daily capacity of 1,800 tons/day is part of the successive plans to expand the production of ag-lime mostly to partly rectify the soil acidity problem of the country. This is considered as part of the development effort of the food security problem in the country which is gradually becoming acute.
Lime for Agricultural Crops
Simply defined, ag-lime is crushed limestone or dolomitic limestone that farmers can use to help improve the health and yield of their crops. Our Ag-lime crushed limestone can help supply you with the essential vitamins and nutrients your crops need to survive. Agricultural farmers rely on ag-lime in part because:
Uses Of Limestone In Agriculture
Growing agricultural crops is a complex line of work that requires a tremendous amount of expertise. Traditional agricultural crop growing faces all kinds of challenges in order to properly produce yields. Appropriate environmental conditions are critical to ensuring successful crops.
Soil quality is a critical component of successful crop growing. Crop health greatly depends on the balance of pH levels within the soil. When soil becomes too acidic – or has a lower pH level – it creates a toxic environment for crops. Acidic soil causes severe nutrient deficiencies for crops, which results in lower yields. Ultimately, this eats away at an agricultural business’s profits.
Fortunately, there is a way to monitor and remedy an acidic soil situation. When soil becomes acidic, one of the best uses of limestone in agriculture is to apply lime to the acidic soil where crops are grown as a way of raising pH levels and reducing acidity.
Acidic Soil Problems
One of the most important conditions for ensuring agricultural crops will grow is the condition of the soil, including the pH balance. When soil becomes too acidic, it can make it very difficult to maximize the yield of agricultural crops.
Acidity is measured on the pH scale whereby a pH level of seven is neutral. When soil pH levels drop below seven, it develops into a state of acidity. The more acidic the soil is, the more toxic it is for plants.
The total area of Ethiopia is 111.8 million hectares, out of which only 79 million hectare is suitable for agriculture. Of this soil, about 27.7% are dominated by moderate to weak acid soils (pH in KCl of 4.5 – 5.5), and around 13.2% are strong acid soils (pH in KCl of <4.5 with one-third of the strongly acidic soils have aluminum toxicity problem (Mesfin, 2007).
The natural acidity of soil will differ from region to region. Some soils are sandy, some are more clay-like. This depends on climate and different properties of farmland regions. Additionally, the specific farming history of the piece of land in question may also determine acidity levels. Some lands may have been properly cared for and managed, while others may have been neglected. This could possibly lead to lower pH levels and an overall acidic soil environment. Limestone can be used to correct the soil’s pH level.
What Is Agricultural Lime?
In order to counter the high acidity of the soil, certain soil amendments can be added to raise the pH levels and neutralize the acidic soil. Agricultural lime is the most effective soil amendment for raising pH levels in order to improve crop health and production.
Agricultural lime is a soil amendment product used to condition soil by raising pH levels. It is made from crushed limestone that contains natural nutrients to promote healthy plant growth. When lime is added to agricultural crops, it dissolves and releases a base that counteracts or neutralizes soil acidity.
Types of Lime for Agricultural Crops
Depending on how acidic the soil has become, there are different types of lime products to use to correct the soil’s pH. Lime is available as magnesium or calcium additives. Magnesium-based lime is called dolomitic lime. Calcium-based lime is called calcitic lime. Depending on your soil’s specific deficiency, it may require one type of lime or the other. It may even require a combination of both liming materials.
Agricultural lime comes in several states: oxides, hydroxide, silicate or carbonate. These are the forms of magnesium or calcium that will neutralize pH levels in the soil. Calcium and magnesium on their own will not neutralize the pH level. Only when they are applied in these forms will they serve the purpose of lowering acidity levels.
How Lime Helps Crops Grow
Agricultural lime helps lower the soil’s acidity levels by rendering it more pH neutral. By applying lime to the soil when it becomes too acidic, farmers can ensure they are helping improve their crop output. If crops can’t properly grow, they can’t produce, which impacts the agriculture business and its bottom line. This is why it becomes important to test your soil’s pH levels to determine the appropriate remedy as needed. Testing soil can help you determine where and when lime is needed, as well as the amount of lime to apply.
In order to remedy the problem of acidic soil, lime can be applied to crops to raise the pH levels by adding in calcium and magnesium. Lime acts as a natural acid neutralizer for soil, which helps to reduce acidity and assist in returning the soil to a pH neutral status.
When soil is acidic, lime can help raise the pH levels, which improves many aspects of crop health. Agricultural lime comes in several forms that can neutralize the acidity in the soil. Lime is derived from magnesium or calcium carbonates, oxides, hydroxides or silicates. These substances help to neutralize the acidity in the soil and provide a thriving soil environment for crops to grow properly in your field or garden.
How Crops React to Lime
Different types of plants are more resistant to acidic soil than others. Certain types of plants can withstand the toxicity of acidic soil, while others will be much more susceptible and will not be able to withstand the toxicity. It’s important to understand each crop’s specific acidic tolerance before applying a lime solution.
When the right type of agricultural lime is appropriately applied to acidic soil, the crops that were once facing toxic conditions will begin to benefit from the change in pH levels. Plant roots will benefit from the calcium and/or magnesium supplementation. Roots will become more efficient at nutrient uptake. This will strengthen the overall root system and plant structure over time.
Agricultural lime products used on acidic soil have a natural varying size of particles. The plant roots can immediately absorb the smaller particles, as they are tiny enough for the roots to take up. The larger particle sizes remain in the soil and continue to neutralize the soil’s acidity. The larger particles slowly break down over time into smaller particles. This helps to deliver a continuous supply of calcium and/or magnesium to the crops over a typical two to five-year period.
These improvements then go on to increase the crop’s ability to produce, which leads to greater yields and thus more profit for the farmer. Crops such as small grains, corn, Bermuda grass, soybeans and other legumes can greatly benefit from agricultural lime to improve yields.
Reducing Acidity Levels in Soil
Soil naturally contains countless minerals and nutrients that each serve a purpose in helping crops grow healthily. When the mineral content becomes unbalanced, the soil can become too alkalized or too acidic depending on the levels of the different types of minerals.
When the soil contains high levels of minerals like iron, aluminum and manganese, then a pH imbalance is created. This causes soil acidity levels to rise. Simultaneously, this also causes a deficiency in other important soil minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Without calcium and magnesium, plants cannot reach healthy growth levels.
This pH imbalance can happen for any number of reasons. The soil itself could be naturally higher in these mineral contents, or it could be caused by the types of fertilizers being used. Alternatively, soil can become acidic when the presence of beneficial bacteria found in organic matter dwindles and there isn’t enough microbial activity in the soil. Whatever the case may be, acidic soil is generally a nutrient imbalance or deficiency that prevents healthy plant growth.
When soil becomes too acidic, it makes it very difficult for plant roots to grow. In fact, acidic soil can stunt root growth altogether, which prevents plant development. Plant roots aren’t able to take up nutrients effectively, which lowers the overall health level of the crops. In essence, high acidity creates a toxic environment for crops.
Applying Lime to Agricultural Crops
Once the soil has been tested throughout the field, you can then determine the appropriate amount of lime to use. Certain sections of the soil may be more acidic than others. In this case, a suitable lime application plan must be created in order to avoid over- or undersupplying lime across the field.
Certain crop species may also have different lime amount requirements. Some crops may need only a slight decrease in acidity, whereas some would benefit from a much greater effort in balancing pH levels.
In many cases, agricultural lime should be applied to the acidic areas of the soil at least six months prior to planting the next crop however the timing may be sooner or later depending on the agricultural lime’s particle sizing. Smaller particles with greater surface area tend to provide liming value and affect the pH more quickly than large particles do. If the application should be applied at least six months prior to planting this means that lime should be applied after harvest in the late fall or winter months. By waiting six months after you apply limestone, it gives the soil a sufficient amount of time to adjust to the added nutrients and balance out the pH levels.
When applying lime to agricultural crops, it’s important to work it into the soil as much as possible. If lime simply resides on the surface, it will take much longer for it to dissolve and then condition the soil. However, this may not apply to crops with roots that feed close to the surface, such as alfalfa, or if a no-till practice is being followed. If you are going to apply lime to your crops, it’s best to use crop-specific lime application practices.
Products & Services
Learn about our agricultural lime products and expert support to help you achieve optimal soil health and crop success.
Supply Machineries
These may include delivery of quality AgLime with affordable prices, introduction of easy to apply AgLime machineries and the service provision scheme.
Training & Capacity Development
We provide AgLime products along with training and capacity development to the different users of the AgLime in the value chain.
Soil Testing
Unlock your soil's potential with our expert soil testing. Identify nutrient deficiencies and pH imbalances to optimize crop yield and quality.
Research & Data Analysis
The AgLime production facility and the laboratories would also serve as a platform to national research, academia and international partners and scholars who have interest in the transformative development of the sector.
AGLime is applied
Learn how our agricultural lime products are applied to the farm land.
Why Choose Us
What Sets Us Apart
AgLime Solution Ethiopia PLC is your trusted partner in achieving optimal soil health and maximizing crop yields. Here’s why you should choose us:
Knowledge and Experience
- Deep understanding of Ethiopian soil conditions and agricultural challenges.
- Experienced team of soil scientists and agricultural experts.
- Proven track record in delivering effective lime solutions.
High-Quality Products
- Premium agricultural lime produced using state-of-the-art technology.
- Rigorous quality control to ensure product consistency and effectiveness.
- Customized lime solutions tailored to specific soil types and crop needs.
Customer-Centric Approach
- Dedicated customer support team available to assist farmers.
- Personalized recommendations and guidance.
- Commitment to building long-term partnerships with farmers.
Sustainable Practices
- Environmentally friendly mining and production processes.
- Focus on soil conservation and rehabilitation.
- Contribution to sustainable agriculture and community development.
Proven Results
- Increased crop yields and improved soil fertility.
- Enhanced nutrient uptake and water retention.
- Reduced reliance on chemical fertilizers.
Get in touch.
Feel free to reach out to us using the contact form below, or by calling or emailing us directly. We look forward to hearing from you!