Farming context: Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso fertilizer estimates use the selected crop, field, soil and product assumptions from the BF agriculture dataset. Check local conditions before applying national averages.
| Agriculture share of GDP | ~28% |
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| Arable land | 6,000,000 ha |
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| Irrigated share | ~0.5% |
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| Main food crops | sorghum, millet, maize, rice, cowpea, fonio |
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| Main export crops | cotton, sesame, shea, cashew |
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Country context from the AfroTools agriculture dataset - planning reference, not agronomic advice. Confirm with local extension services.
Fertilizer Use in Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a landlocked Sahelian country where agriculture employs over 80% of the population. Cotton is the principal cash crop and the largest consumer of fertilizer, while sorghum, millet, maize, and rice are the main food crops. Annual fertilizer consumption ranges from 150,000 to 250,000 tonnes, with a significant share directed to cotton production in the western Hauts-Bassins and Boucle du Mouhoun regions. The country relies entirely on fertilizer imports, primarily through the port of Abidjan in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire. The government and cotton companies work together to ensure fertilizer availability, but access for food crop farmers remains limited. Soil degradation and declining fertility are critical concerns across the Sahel zone, making increased fertilizer use essential for food security.
Common Fertilizer Types
Cotton-specific NPK blends, particularly NPKSB 14-23-14-6S-1B, are the most consumed fertilizer in Burkina Faso, tailored to the nutrient demands of cotton on tropical ferralitic soils. Urea (46-0-0) is used as a supplementary nitrogen source for cotton and increasingly for maize. NPK 14-23-14 without micronutrients is applied to cereals and other food crops. DAP is used in rice cultivation, particularly in irrigated perimeters along the Sourou River and in the Bagre dam area. Burkina phosphate, a locally mined rock phosphate from the Kodjari deposit in the east, is promoted as a low-cost phosphorus source for acidic soils, though its slow-release nature limits its popularity. Microdosing, the application of small quantities of fertilizer in the planting hole, is promoted by ICRISAT and partners as a cost-effective strategy for cereal farmers.
Subsidy Programs & Access
Burkina Faso subsidizes fertilizer through the cotton sector and through direct government programs for food crops. Cotton farmers receive fertilizer on credit through SOFITEX, Faso Coton, and SOCOMA (the three cotton companies), with costs deducted at cotton purchase. For food crop farmers, the government operates a fertilizer subsidy program through the Ministry of Agriculture, offering NPK and urea at reduced prices through approved distributors. The subsidy typically covers 20 to 30% of the market price. Farmers access subsidized fertilizer by registering with their provincial agriculture directorate and purchasing through certified agro-dealer networks. The e-voucher system has been piloted with support from IFDC and the World Bank to improve targeting and reduce leakage. Community-based organizations and farmer cooperatives also play a role in aggregating demand and facilitating group purchases at negotiated prices.