The Promise of Microbial Fertilizer for Affordable and Sustainable Food Production in Africa

Tavneet Suri, Petar Madjarac and Robert D. van der Hilst

No 34858, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: Food insecurity is an existential threat for Africa (a continent facing rapid population growth and dire climate impacts) and addressing it a global imperative. Over 30% of caloric intake comes from maize, but crop yields are low partly because high costs make synthetic fertilizers uneconomical. A field experiment with Kenyan smallholder farmers explores the promise of genetically modified (microbial) biofertilizers to deliver nitrogen and increase yields at affordable costs. We see significant increases in yields (up to 110% for some farmers) and lower environmental impact than synthetic products. This suggests that biofertilizers could dramatically improve food security and child nutrition in Africa.

JEL-codes: O13 O55 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-02
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