Farming context: Niger
Niger fertilizer estimates use the selected crop, field, soil and product assumptions from the NE agriculture dataset. Check local conditions before applying national averages.
| Agriculture share of GDP | ~40% |
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| Arable land | 15,400,000 ha |
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| Irrigated share | ~1% |
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| Main food crops | millet, cowpea, sorghum, rice, groundnut |
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| Main export crops | cowpea, onion, sesame |
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Country context from the AfroTools agriculture dataset - planning reference, not agronomic advice. Confirm with local extension services.
Fertilizer Use in Niger
Niger is a large, landlocked Sahelian country where agriculture and pastoralism are the primary livelihoods for over 80% of the population. Millet and sorghum are the staple food crops, while cowpeas and groundnuts are important cash crops. Annual fertilizer consumption is very low, estimated at 20,000 to 30,000 tonnes, which is critically insufficient for the country's farming needs given severe soil fertility degradation. Niger's soils are among the most phosphorus-deficient in West Africa. The country is landlocked, with fertilizer imports traveling overland from Benin (Cotonou), Nigeria (Lagos), and Togo (Lome), adding substantial transport costs. The government and international partners have long recognized that increasing fertilizer use is one of the most impactful interventions for improving food security in Niger.
Common Fertilizer Types
DAP (18-46-0) is one of the most important fertilizers in Niger, valued for its high phosphorus content on the country's severely phosphorus-deficient sandy soils. NPK 15-15-15 is the most commonly used compound fertilizer for food crops. Urea (46-0-0) is used as a top-dressing for millet, sorghum, and irrigated crops. Single superphosphate (SSP) is recommended as a more affordable phosphorus source. Tahoua rock phosphate, from a local deposit in central Niger, is promoted as an indigenous phosphorus source, though its effectiveness is limited on the country's non-acidic sandy soils without acidification. Micro-dosing, applying small quantities of DAP or NPK (2 to 6 grams per planting hole), has been widely promoted by ICRISAT and is one of the most cost-effective fertilizer strategies for millet and sorghum farmers in the Sahelian zone. Organic amendments including animal manure, compost, and crop residues are essential components of soil fertility management, often combined with soil and water conservation techniques like zai pits and half-moons.
Subsidy Programs & Access
Niger operates a fertilizer subsidy and distribution program through the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Input Supply System (Systeme National d'Approvisionnement en Intrants, SNAI). The government subsidizes approved fertilizers at rates typically ranging from 25 to 50% below market prices. Distribution is managed through regional agriculture directorates and approved agro-dealers. Farmers access subsidized fertilizer through their village-level farmer organizations and community cooperatives. The Nigerian Subsidy Program for Agricultural Inputs (Programme Nigerien de Subvention des Intrants Agricoles) coordinates with the World Bank, AfDB, and bilateral partners to fund and implement the subsidy scheme. The e-voucher system has been piloted with IFDC support to improve targeting and reduce leakage. Emergency food security programs, managed by the Dispositif National de Prevention et Gestion des Crises Alimentaires (DNPGCA), also include input distribution in drought-affected areas. Access remains extremely challenging in remote pastoral and agro-pastoral zones where markets and distribution points are sparse.