Farming context: Cameroon
Cameroon fertilizer estimates use the selected crop, field, soil and product assumptions from the CM agriculture dataset. Check local conditions before applying national averages.
| Agriculture share of GDP | ~17% |
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| Arable land | 6,000,000 ha |
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| Irrigated share | ~1% |
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| Main food crops | cassava, maize, plantain, sorghum, millet, rice |
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| Main export crops | cocoa, coffee robusta, cotton, rubber, banana |
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Country context from the AfroTools agriculture dataset - planning reference, not agronomic advice. Confirm with local extension services.
Fertilizer Use in Cameroon
Cameroon is often called "Africa in miniature" due to its diverse agro-ecological zones, from the Sahelian north to the equatorial south. The country consumes approximately 200,000 to 300,000 tonnes of fertilizer annually, with significant demand from both cash crops (cocoa, coffee, cotton, oil palm, rubber) and food crops (maize, rice, plantain, cassava). Cameroon has modest domestic fertilizer production capacity, but imports remain the primary supply source. The cotton zone in the Far North and North regions is the largest fertilizer-consuming area, managed by SODECOTON. The government has prioritized agricultural modernization through its National Agricultural Investment Plan, which includes expanding fertilizer access as a key objective.
Common Fertilizer Types
NPK 20-10-10 is widely used across Cameroon for a variety of crops including maize, rice, and plantain. Cotton-specific blends, particularly NPKSB 22-10-15-5S-1B, are provided through SODECOTON for the northern cotton belt. Urea (46-0-0) serves as the primary top-dressing nitrogen source for cereals and rice. For cocoa production in the Centre and South-West regions, NPK 0-23-19 or specially formulated cocoa fertilizers are recommended. DAP is used in rice production areas, particularly in the irrigated schemes of SEMRY in the Far North. Potassium chloride (KCl) is important for oil palm plantations in the Littoral and South-West regions. Rock phosphate from local deposits is being explored as a cheaper alternative for smallholder farmers on acidic forest soils.
Subsidy Programs & Access
Cameroon's fertilizer subsidy program is implemented through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER). The government provides a price subsidy that reduces the cost of approved fertilizers by approximately 25 to 40% at official distribution points. For cotton, SODECOTON manages its own input credit system, providing fertilizer to contracted cotton farmers with costs recovered at harvest. Food crop farmers access subsidized fertilizer through MINADER's delegations at regional and departmental levels, presenting their farmer card and a planting declaration. Distribution occurs through approved cooperatives and certified agro-dealers. The government has also established fertilizer storage facilities in regional capitals to ensure availability during planting seasons. Youth and women farmer groups often receive additional support through targeted programs managed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and the Ministry of Women's Empowerment.