Preface

Resolution 5 of the Abuja Declaration on Fertilizer,1 have been induced to [re-]introduce subsidies as a short-term solution to artificially reduce fertilizer prices and increase its use. Yet, if these subsidies are not managed properly and are implemented in a constrained environment that contributes to inefficiencies and higher fertilizers costs, the introduction of subsidies not only adds to market distortions but also to higher fiscal burdens. Therefore, a primary motivation for this study is to identify key constraints along the fertilizer supply chain and recommend policies to expand fertilizer markets through more efficient distribution and to lower the fiscal burden on governments who wish to effectively increase fertilizer use in their country and in the West Africa (WA) region. To carry out this work, four country case studies were undertaken in 2009 and 2010 to assess the fertilizer suppl