Fertiliser use in semi-arid West Africa: Profitability and supporting policy

An important debate is currently under way among researchers and policy makers about the relative merits of using organic versus inorganic fertilizers to improve soil fertility in semi-arid areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Environmentalists argue that use of inorganic fertilizer contributes to natural resource degradation and recommend use of organic fertilizers as a means of promoting sustainable agriculture. Opponents of this view maintain that a more rapid introduction of inorganic fertilizers is required in sub-Saharan Africa where current levels of use are extremely low, even when compared with other developing countries.