Farming context: Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone fertilizer estimates use the selected crop, field, soil and product assumptions from the SL agriculture dataset. Check local conditions before applying national averages.
| Agriculture share of GDP | ~55% |
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| Arable land | 2,700,000 ha |
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| Irrigated share | ~1% |
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| Main food crops | rice, cassava, sweet potato, groundnut, maize |
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| Main export crops | cocoa, coffee robusta, oil palm |
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Country context from the AfroTools agriculture dataset - planning reference, not agronomic advice. Confirm with local extension services.
Fertilizer Use in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is a West African country where agriculture employs about 60% of the population, primarily in rice, cassava, groundnuts, oil palm, cocoa, and coffee production. The country is still rebuilding its agricultural sector after a devastating civil war (1991-2002) and the Ebola crisis (2014-2015). Annual fertilizer consumption is low, estimated at 10,000 to 20,000 tonnes, well below the needs of the country's cultivated area. Rice is the staple food, and Sierra Leone remains a significant rice importer despite having substantial inland valley swamps suitable for rice cultivation. All mineral fertilizer is imported through the port of Freetown. The Smallholder Commercialization Programme (SCP) and the National Agricultural Transformation Programme (NATP) are the main frameworks for agricultural development, including fertilizer access improvement.
Common Fertilizer Types
NPK 15-15-15 is the most commonly available fertilizer in Sierra Leone, used for rice, vegetables, and general food crop production. Urea (46-0-0) is used as a nitrogen top-dressing for rice, particularly in the Inland Valley Swamp (IVS) rice systems and the bolilands. DAP is applied as a starter fertilizer for rice and maize. NPK 20-20-0 has been promoted for rice in some development programs. For cocoa and coffee rehabilitation in the eastern districts, NPK formulations with calcium and magnesium are recommended. Organic soil amendments are the primary fertility input for most smallholder farmers, with composted farm waste, green manures (particularly Chromolaena odorata, locally abundant), and rice straw incorporated into farming systems. The Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI) provides crop-specific fertilizer recommendations adapted to the country's major soil types.
Subsidy Programs & Access
Sierra Leone has operated various fertilizer subsidy programs, most recently through the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Food Security. The government provides subsidized fertilizer at prices below market rates (typically 25 to 40% subsidy) through approved agro-dealers and distribution points. The Smallholder Commercialization and Agribusiness Development Project (SCADeP), supported by the World Bank, has strengthened the input distribution system. Farmers register through chiefdom-level agriculture committees and district agriculture offices. Distribution is organized before the main planting season (May to June) through designated points in each district. The e-voucher system has been piloted in partnership with IFAD and AGRA to improve beneficiary targeting. International partners including FAO, USAID, and GIZ have supported complementary programs for agro-dealer development and market-based fertilizer distribution. Access remains challenging in remote chiefdoms, particularly in the eastern and northern districts, where road conditions deteriorate during the rainy season and agro-dealer presence is sparse.