Alternative approaches for promoting fertilizer use in Africa, with emphasis on the role of subsidies

This document addresses the issue of soil fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa, with respect to fertilizer supply, and use to improve agricultural production and economic productivity. In the past, programs aimed to increase fertilizer demand included subsidies of some sort to appeal to producers. These subsidies have undermined the overall economic process. Because these fertilizer programs and subsidies affect the overall market and economy, it is important to look at all consequences of policy decisions related to fertilizer subsidies as a tool for improving agricultural production and soil fertility.