Agricultural Economics
Mineral Fertilizer Use and Land Productivity/Income
Linking processor demand, quality premiums, and smallholder contracts along a growing export corridor.
Economics of Productive, Inclusive Agriculture. Research on inputs, seed systems, contracts, and farm performance that informs commercialization and rural development.
Rapid coastal demand growth outpaced contract enforcement capacity inland. The engagement linked commercial incentives to measurable quality at reception gates.
Mineral fertilizer is a cornerstone of agricultural productivity, but its use in Ghana remains limited. Farmers often face constraints such as high costs, limited access, and lack of knowledge. This study examines the impact of fertilizer use on land productivity and household income, situating fertilizer as both an input and a driver of welfare. The broader challenge is that low fertilizer use perpetuates low productivity and poverty. Without adequate input use, farmers struggle to achieve yields that sustain income and food security. This research situates fertilizer use within the broader discourse on agricultural intensification, highlighting its role in breaking cycles of low productivity and poverty traps.
Mineral fertilizer use is a critical driver of productivity and income, but adoption requires addressing affordability, access, and knowledge barriers.
Martey, E
2019
Background
Advancing through the data
Mineral fertilizer is a cornerstone of agricultural productivity, but its use in Ghana remains limited. Farmers often face constraints such as high costs, limited access, and lack of knowledge. This study examines the impact of fertilizer use on land productivity and household income, situating fertilizer as both an input and a driver of welfare. The broader challenge is that low fertilizer use perpetuates low productivity and poverty. Without adequate input use, farmers struggle to achieve yields that sustain income and food security. This research situates fertilizer use within the broader discourse on agricultural intensification, highlighting its role in breaking cycles of low productivity and poverty traps.
Research Approach
Household survey data was collected to capture fertilizer use, land productivity, and income across diverse agro-ecological zones. Econometric models were applied to measure the relationship between fertilizer use and welfare outcomes, controlling for farm size, location, and household characteristics. Qualitative interviews provided insights into farmer perceptions of fertilizer, barriers to use, and coping strategies. Comparative analysis was conducted between households using fertilizer and those relying on traditional practices. This dual approach ensured findings were both statistically rigorous and contextually grounded.
Key findings from this study include:
- Fertilizer use significantly increased land productivity.
- Households using fertilizer reported higher incomes.
- Barriers included high costs, limited access, and knowledge gaps.
- Adoption was uneven across regions, with poorer households less likely to use fertilizer.
Implications
A strategic lens for organizations and policymakers
Policymakers should design subsidy programs to improve affordability.
Organizations can support farmer training and extension services.
Businesses can expand fertilizer distribution networks to underserved regions.
For organizations, this research informs input support programs. For policymakers, it highlights the importance of subsidies and extension. For businesses, it shows opportunities in fertilizer markets and distribution.
Mineral fertilizer use is a critical driver of productivity and income, but adoption requires addressing affordability, access, and knowledge barriers.
Martey, E, 2019
