Farming context: Gambia
Gambia fertilizer estimates use the selected crop, field, soil and product assumptions from the GM agriculture dataset. Check local conditions before applying national averages.
| Agriculture share of GDP | ~20% |
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| Arable land | 450,000 ha |
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| Irrigated share | ~2% |
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| Main food crops | groundnut, millet, rice, sorghum, maize, cowpea |
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| Main export crops | groundnut |
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Country context from the AfroTools agriculture dataset - planning reference, not agronomic advice. Confirm with local extension services.
Fertilizer Use in Gambia
The Gambia is the smallest country in mainland Africa, with agriculture providing livelihoods for about 70% of the population. Groundnuts are the traditional cash crop and historically the primary export, while rice, millet, sorghum, and maize are the main food crops. Annual fertilizer consumption is estimated at 5,000 to 10,000 tonnes, which is insufficient for the country's cropping area. The country imports all its mineral fertilizer, primarily through the port of Banjul. The narrow shape of the country along the Gambia River means that most farming areas are relatively accessible from the river transport network. The National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) provides fertilizer recommendations adapted to the country's soil types, which range from sandy upland soils to heavier alluvial soils in the river floodplains.
Common Fertilizer Types
NPK 15-15-15 is the most widely used compound fertilizer in The Gambia, applied to groundnuts, maize, and vegetables. Urea (46-0-0) is the standard nitrogen top-dressing for cereals and rice in the lowland irrigated perimeters. Single superphosphate (SSP) is recommended for groundnuts on phosphorus-deficient sandy soils. DAP is used in the irrigated rice schemes along the Gambia River. Compound fertilizers with sulfur are recommended for groundnut production, as Gambian soils are often sulfur-deficient. Groundnut shells, a locally abundant byproduct, are used as a potassium-rich amendment when burned to ash. Animal manure from the mixed crop-livestock farming systems in the North Bank and Central River regions is the most widely used soil amendment, supplemented by composting programs promoted by the agricultural extension service.
Subsidy Programs & Access
The Gambia operates a fertilizer subsidy program through the Ministry of Agriculture, providing approved fertilizers at reduced prices to registered farmers. The subsidy typically covers 30 to 50% of the market price, depending on government budget allocation. Distribution is managed through the National Food Security, Processing, and Marketing Corporation (NFSPMC) and regional agriculture offices. Farmers register through their local village development committees and ward agricultural extension workers. Distribution is organized before the main rainy season (June to October) through designated sales points in each district. The World Bank-supported West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP) and IFAD-funded projects have complemented government efforts by supporting agro-dealer development and input voucher pilots. Farmer organizations and women's groups (kafos) play an important role in aggregating demand and facilitating group access to subsidized inputs.