Fertilizers

Mineral fertilizers are an important resource for humanity. World food production depends on supplementing nutrients from the soil with mineral fertilizers. These are now indispensable for ensuring sufficient food production and preventing declines in soil productivity through nutrient depletion.

The rapid increase in world population and consumption have rendered fertilizers an integral part of the food supply chain. There is no alternative to mineral fertilizers in modern agriculture if we are to feed the world.

Fertilizer application in Africa is the lowest in the world, even though soils are generally considered poor compared to those in Latin America or Asia. Fertilizer consumption in Africa increased by 1 percent per year in the 1990s, with annual growth rates of 3 percent in Egypt and Morocco, zero growth in sub-Saharan Africa and a decline of 1 percent in South Africa.


Economics
The high farmgate cost of fertilizer and its unavailability at peak demand periods are the major reasons why this region has a very low fertilizer-use adoption rate. Farm-level fertilizer prices in sub-Saharan Africa are among the highest in the world, due to high transport costs and limited market development.

Improving farmers' crop prices is a crucial factor in stimulating fertilizer use and, hence, higher yield per hectare. Changes in crop prices have a greater impact than changes in the cost of fertilizers. Research into the price elasticity of fertilizer demand shows that a 1 percent increase in the crop price will be at least 25 percent more effective than a 1 percent reduction in the cost of fertilizers.


Challenges
Many obstacles hinder fertilizer use in developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The key factors to creating a climate for effective and profitable fertilizer use are:

• Coherent and long-term food production policies
• Adequate transport infrastructures to reduce farm-gate costs of fertilizers, get fertilizer into villages and crops out to markets.
• Efficient supply and distribution systems
• Effective support services, credit facilities and incentives for farmers.
• Handling and storage infrastructure

Many researchers criticize past use of subsidies. However, a growing consensus considers them a necessary intervention in creating an African Green Revolution. Policymakers must ensure fertilizer subsidies really benefit farmers who need them by:

• Investing in transport, power and communications infrastructure
• Using vouchers, 'fertilizer for work' and other pro-poor mechanisms to ensure subsidized fertilizers do not go to commercial farmers or wealthier countries.
• Creating reliable delivery systems, such as improved rural markets, to ensure availability.
  

The challenge is to provide food for an increasing population while maintaining soil fertility and taking care of a precious natural environment. Improving access to fertilizer and fertilizing practices are key contributions to solving this dilemma.