Making Fertilizer Use More Effective and Profitable: The Role of Complementary Interventions

Joseph S. Kanyamuka, Flora J. Nankhuni, Thomas Jayne () and Moses W. Munthali

No 303564, Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research Briefs from Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security (FSP)

Abstract: KEY MESSAGES -Fertilizer use can be made more profitable with the inclusion of complementary interventions such as integrated soil fertility management practices that include integrating legumes in farming systems, crop rotation, application of organic manure in combination with inorganic fertilizers, and application of lime on acidic soils, among others. -By raising the efficiency of fertilizer use, these complementary interventions can expand the effective demand for fertilizers in a sustainable manner without dependence on subsidy programs. -Extension programs featuring good agronomic practices such as timely planting, correct and timely fertilizer application, timely weeding and proper plant spacing will also raise the efficiency of fertilizer use. -Effective implementation of these interventions will require public investments in agricultural research and responsive extension systems. -While typically considered outside the range of fertilizer promotion policies, public investment in road, rail-way and rural infrastructure and competitive behavior of the Malawi transport sector is another powerful way to boost fertilizer access by farmers.

Keywords: Food Security and Poverty; International Development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 5
Date: 2018-05-01
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https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/303564/files/Policy_Brief_60.pdf (application/pdf)

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Working Paper: Making Fertilizer Use More Effective and Profitable: The Role of Complementary Interventions (2018)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:miffpb:303564

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.303564

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