Fresh insights from new research shaping Africa’s food systems, resilience, and economic development
Key Insight of the Week
Fertilizer subsidies can improve agricultural productivity, but who receives them matters. New evidence from Kenya shows that current targeting mechanisms do not consistently reach either the farmers who would generate the greatest productivity gains or the poorest households. Better targeting could improve both efficiency and equity.
Featured Report of the Week
“Smart” targeting of fertilizer subsidies in Kenya: Productivity, welfare, and soil health (OA) By Ayalew, Hailemariam; Kimaiyo, Faith Chepkemoi; Keenan, Michael; Trachtman, Carly
Can fertilizer subsidies better support both agricultural productivity and vulnerable farmers?
This IFPRI Working Paper evaluates Kenya’s National Fertilizer Subsidy Program (NFSP) using survey data from 3,105 households combined with parcel-level soil test information. The study examines whether the program’s current targeting approach—based on digital registration and e-vouchers—aligns with two key policy objectives: maximizing agricultural productivity and supporting the poorest households.
The findings show that these objectives do not necessarily overlap. Farmers who would generate the greatest productivity gains from fertilizer subsidies are not generally the poorest or most vulnerable. The analysis also finds that current NFSP beneficiaries have limited overlap with the households that would ideally be targeted under either objective.
Among households that would ideally benefit from the program, mobile phone ownership and knowledge of fertilizer recommendations are associated with a greater likelihood of receiving subsidies. The study concludes that integrating soil testing into fertilizer subsidy frameworks could improve targeting efficiency and better align program implementation with national agricultural goals.
Other Recent Publications
Barriers and factors associated with treatment coverage of severe acute malnutrition among children 6–59 months in agrarian and pastoralist areas of Ethiopia(A Rank; OA; PR; ISI)
Biru, Bayise; Huybregts, Lieven; Tamiru, Dessalegn; Areb, Mohammed; Haddis, Alemayehu; Fall, Talla; Touré, Mariama; et al.
Determinants of infant and young child feeding practices of children with severe acute malnutrition in agrarian and pastoralist settings of Ethiopia (A Rank; OA; PR; ISI)
Areb, Mohammed; Huybregts, Lieven; Tamiru, Dessalegn; Touré, Mariama; Biru, Bayise; Fall, Talla; et al.
Formative research in Ethiopia and Bangladesh: Strengthening household survey measures of maternal micronutrient supplementation in low- and middle-income countries (A Rank; OA; PR; ISI)
Walton, Shelley; Wood, Ellina; Berhane, Hanna Y.; Workeneh, Firehiwot; Ferdaweke, Fiker; Billah, Sk Masum; Uddin Lotus, Sharif; Munos, Melinda; Kim, Sunny S.; Manohar, Swetha; Nguyen, Phuong Hong; et al.
Anticipatory action and early warning systems: A community engagement toolkit for the Sahel (OA)
Kyle, Jordan; Bleck, Jamie; Carrillo, Lucia; Gottlieb, Jessica; Konate, Drissa; Kosec, Katrina
Fairgrounds platform hackathon (OA)
Aubert, C.; Devare, M.
Intake of aquatic and terrestrial animal source foods among women of reproductive age in northern Tanzania(OA)
Djuazon, Nelly; Azupogo, Fusta; Arnold, Charles D.; Jeremiah, Kidola; Malindisa, Evangelista; Kinabo, Joyce; Gichohi-Wainaina, Wanjiku N.; et al.
Rethinking land use and rural livelihoods in Ethiopia’s agroecological zones(OA)
Aragie, Emerta A.; Taffesse, Alemayehu Seyoum; Thurlow, James
About Evidence for Africa
Evidence for Africa highlights every week recent IFPRI research and insights relevant to the continent’s food systems, economic development, and policy priorities.
Looking for earlier versions?
Visit the archive of Evidence for Africa to explore past releases and insights here