Premium
Input promotion within a complex subsector: fertilizer in Nigeria
Author(s) -
LiverpoolTasie Lenis Saweda O.,
Takeshima Hiroyuki
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
agricultural economics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.29
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1574-0862
pISSN - 0169-5150
DOI - 10.1111/agec.12075
Subject(s) - subsidy , fertilizer , agriculture , voucher , agricultural economics , promotion (chess) , business , economics , natural resource economics , political science , agronomy , ecology , politics , biology , accounting , law , market economy
Abstract Despite growing evidence that fertilizers can substantially increase yields and slow down environmental degradation in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), the region still lags far behind other developing areas in fertilizer use. Low use rates persist despite numerous efforts to ease farmers’ access to quality and affordable fertilizer. This article reviews the effects of Nigeria's fertilizer policies, including fertilizer subsidies, on fertilizer use. We also compare the old government‐led fertilizer subsidy scheme with the more recent voucher‐based programs and their potential effects on private fertilizer sector development. Based on our analysis of Nigeria's experience with fertilizer subsidies, we identify the potential major challenges to be faced by the new fertilizer subsidy scheme currently being implemented nationwide.