Farming context: Benin
Benin fertilizer estimates use the selected crop, field, soil and product assumptions from the BJ agriculture dataset. Check local conditions before applying national averages.
| Agriculture share of GDP | ~25% |
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| Arable land | 3,300,000 ha |
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| Irrigated share | ~1% |
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| Main food crops | maize, cassava, yam, sorghum, rice, cowpea |
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| Main export crops | cotton, cashew, oil palm, pineapple |
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Country context from the AfroTools agriculture dataset - planning reference, not agronomic advice. Confirm with local extension services.
Fertilizer Use in Benin
Benin is a major cotton-producing country in West Africa, and its fertilizer market is heavily influenced by the cotton sector. The country consumes around 100,000 to 150,000 tonnes of fertilizer annually, with the majority allocated to cotton cultivation in the northern departments of Alibori, Borgou, and Atacora. The cotton sector is managed through an interprofessional organization (AIC) that coordinates input supply, credit, and marketing. Beyond cotton, maize, rice, and cashew are significant crops that increasingly receive fertilizer applications. Benin imports all its mineral fertilizers, primarily through the port of Cotonou, which also serves as a transit point for landlocked neighbors like Niger and Burkina Faso.
Common Fertilizer Types
Cotton-specific NPK blends, particularly NPKSB 14-23-14-5S-1B, are the dominant fertilizer formulation in Benin, custom-designed to meet the nutrient requirements of cotton on the country's tropical ferruginous soils. Urea (46-0-0) is widely used as a top-dressing for both cotton and maize. For cereal crops, NPK 15-15-15 is the most commonly applied compound fertilizer. DAP is used in irrigated rice production in the Niger River valley. SSP is occasionally available but less common than compound formulations. The cotton interprofessional body negotiates bulk fertilizer purchases annually, securing competitive prices through centralized procurement from international suppliers including OCP of Morocco and various Chinese manufacturers.
Subsidy Programs & Access
Benin's fertilizer subsidy system is closely linked to the cotton sector through the Association Interprofessionnelle du Coton (AIC). Cotton farmers receive fertilizer on credit at subsidized prices, with deductions made at the point of cotton sale. The government provides a price subsidy that reduces the farmer's cost by approximately 25 to 35% below the import parity price. For food crops, the Strategic Food Reserve Agency (ONASA) and later the National Society for Agricultural Promotion (SONAPRA) have managed distribution of subsidized fertilizer through approved dealer networks. Farmers register with their local commune agricultural service to access subsidized inputs, and distribution is organized through farmer groups (groupements villageois). The e-voucher pilot program, supported by development partners, has been tested in selected departments to improve targeting and reduce diversion of subsidized fertilizer.