Farming context: Central African Republic
Central African Republic fertilizer estimates use the selected crop, field, soil and product assumptions from the CF agriculture dataset. Check local conditions before applying national averages.
| Agriculture share of GDP | ~40% |
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| Arable land | 2,000,000 ha |
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| Irrigated share | ~0.1% |
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| Main food crops | cassava, groundnut, maize, millet, sorghum |
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| Main export crops | cotton, coffee robusta |
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Country context from the AfroTools agriculture dataset - planning reference, not agronomic advice. Confirm with local extension services.
Fertilizer Use in Central African Republic
The Central African Republic (CAR) is one of the world's least developed countries, with agriculture providing livelihoods for over 70% of the population. Years of political instability and conflict have severely disrupted agricultural production and input supply chains. Fertilizer consumption is extremely low, estimated at under 5,000 tonnes annually, with most smallholder farmers relying entirely on natural soil fertility and shifting cultivation. Key crops include cassava, groundnuts, maize, sorghum, sesame, and coffee. The country is landlocked and depends on road transport from the ports of Douala (Cameroon) and Pointe-Noire (Congo), making imported fertilizer prohibitively expensive for most farmers. International organizations including FAO, WFP, and various NGOs provide emergency agricultural input kits that include small quantities of fertilizer in crisis-affected areas.
Common Fertilizer Types
NPK 15-15-15 and urea are the most commonly encountered fertilizers in CAR, primarily available through development project distributions rather than commercial markets. DAP is occasionally provided in agricultural rehabilitation packages for displaced and returning farming communities. Single superphosphate is distributed in limited quantities by development partners. The extremely underdeveloped commercial fertilizer market means that most products available are those brought in by humanitarian and development organizations. Organic soil management practices, including composting, mulching, and improved fallow with nitrogen-fixing species like Mucuna and Cajanus cajan, are promoted by FAO and ICRAF as more accessible alternatives to mineral fertilizer in a country where commercial supply chains are largely non-functional outside the capital Bangui.
Subsidy Programs & Access
CAR does not currently operate a formal national fertilizer subsidy program due to ongoing instability and limited fiscal capacity. Fertilizer access is primarily facilitated through emergency and development programs coordinated by international organizations. FAO's emergency response programs distribute seed and fertilizer kits to vulnerable farming households, particularly internally displaced persons and communities in conflict-affected areas. The World Bank and AfDB have supported agricultural recovery projects that include input supply components. When available, fertilizer is distributed through local agricultural offices (ACDA at prefecture level) and through community-based organizations supported by NGOs. Farmers in more stable areas around Bangui and in the western prefectures may find limited commercial supplies at agro-dealer shops, though prices are extremely high due to transport costs. The government's National Recovery and Peacebuilding Plan includes provisions for eventually establishing a structured input subsidy program once security conditions improve.