Dynamics of the fertilizer value chain in Mozambique

Mozambique is characterized by low agricultural productivity, which is associated with low use of yield-enhancing agricultural inputs. Fertilizer application rate averaged 5.7 kg ha-1 in Mozambique during the period 2006 to 2015, considerably low by regional targets, yet constraints that affect fert...

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Main Authors: Zavale, H., Matchaya, Greenwell C., Vilissa, D., Nhemachena, Charles, Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso, Wilson, D.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: MDPI 2020
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/108830
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author Zavale, H.
Matchaya, Greenwell C.
Vilissa, D.
Nhemachena, Charles
Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso
Wilson, D.
author_browse Matchaya, Greenwell C.
Nhemachena, Charles
Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso
Vilissa, D.
Wilson, D.
Zavale, H.
author_facet Zavale, H.
Matchaya, Greenwell C.
Vilissa, D.
Nhemachena, Charles
Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso
Wilson, D.
author_sort Zavale, H.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Mozambique is characterized by low agricultural productivity, which is associated with low use of yield-enhancing agricultural inputs. Fertilizer application rate averaged 5.7 kg ha-1 in Mozambique during the period 2006 to 2015, considerably low by regional targets, yet constraints that affect fertilizer use have not been thoroughly investigated. This study examined the constraints on fertilizer value chains in Mozambique to contribute to fertilizer supply chain strengthening. We used a combination of multivariate analysis and descriptive methods. Our findings indicate that fertilizer use has both demand and supply constraints. Key demand-side constraints include liquidity challenges, limited awareness about the benefits of using fertilizer, and low market participation, while the main supply-side constraints include high transaction costs, limited access to finance, and lack of soil testing results and corresponding fertilizer recommendations by soil type and crop uptake. These results suggest that scaling up the input subsidy program through vouchers (either paper-based vouchers or e-vouchers) with demonstration plots and effective targeting could drive up smallholders’ demand for fertilizer and fertilizer supply by strengthening a sustainable network of wholesalers and retailers. This would likely boost agricultural productivity.
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spelling CGSpace1088302024-06-26T10:09:10Z Dynamics of the fertilizer value chain in Mozambique Zavale, H. Matchaya, Greenwell C. Vilissa, D. Nhemachena, Charles Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso Wilson, D. fertilizer application value chains agricultural sector farm inputs agricultural productivity costs subsidies maize rice crop yield wholesale marketing constraints soil types smallholders farmers households Mozambique is characterized by low agricultural productivity, which is associated with low use of yield-enhancing agricultural inputs. Fertilizer application rate averaged 5.7 kg ha-1 in Mozambique during the period 2006 to 2015, considerably low by regional targets, yet constraints that affect fertilizer use have not been thoroughly investigated. This study examined the constraints on fertilizer value chains in Mozambique to contribute to fertilizer supply chain strengthening. We used a combination of multivariate analysis and descriptive methods. Our findings indicate that fertilizer use has both demand and supply constraints. Key demand-side constraints include liquidity challenges, limited awareness about the benefits of using fertilizer, and low market participation, while the main supply-side constraints include high transaction costs, limited access to finance, and lack of soil testing results and corresponding fertilizer recommendations by soil type and crop uptake. These results suggest that scaling up the input subsidy program through vouchers (either paper-based vouchers or e-vouchers) with demonstration plots and effective targeting could drive up smallholders’ demand for fertilizer and fertilizer supply by strengthening a sustainable network of wholesalers and retailers. This would likely boost agricultural productivity. 2020-06-09 2020-07-21T05:50:30Z 2020-07-21T05:50:30Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/108830 en Open Access MDPI Zavale, H.; Matchaya, Greenwell; Vilissa, D.; Nhemachena, Charles; Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso; Wilson, D. 2020. Dynamics of the fertilizer value chain in Mozambique. Sustainability, 12(11):4691. [doi: 10.3390/su12114691]
spellingShingle fertilizer application
value chains
agricultural sector
farm inputs
agricultural productivity
costs
subsidies
maize
rice
crop yield
wholesale marketing
constraints
soil types
smallholders
farmers
households
Zavale, H.
Matchaya, Greenwell C.
Vilissa, D.
Nhemachena, Charles
Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso
Wilson, D.
Dynamics of the fertilizer value chain in Mozambique
title Dynamics of the fertilizer value chain in Mozambique
title_full Dynamics of the fertilizer value chain in Mozambique
title_fullStr Dynamics of the fertilizer value chain in Mozambique
title_full_unstemmed Dynamics of the fertilizer value chain in Mozambique
title_short Dynamics of the fertilizer value chain in Mozambique
title_sort dynamics of the fertilizer value chain in mozambique
topic fertilizer application
value chains
agricultural sector
farm inputs
agricultural productivity
costs
subsidies
maize
rice
crop yield
wholesale marketing
constraints
soil types
smallholders
farmers
households
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/108830
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AT nhlengethwasibusiso dynamicsofthefertilizervaluechaininmozambique
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