Is increasing inorganic fertilizer use for maize production in SSA a profitable proposition? Evidence from Nigeria
利用尼日利亚全国代表性面板数据，实证估计了玉米生产中肥料使用的盈利性，发现低边际产量和高运输成本显著降低了肥料使用的利润，并指出改善土壤质量、及时获取肥料和配套投入等对提高农业生产率至关重要。
Inorganic fertilizer use across Sub-Saharan Africa is generally considered to be low. Yet, the notion that fertilizer use is too low is predicated on the assumption that it is profitable to use rates higher than currently observed. There is, however, limited empirical evidence to support this. Using a nationally representative panel dataset, this paper empirically estimates the profitability of fertilizer use for maize production in Nigeria. We find that fertilizer use in Nigeria is not as low as conventional wisdom suggests. Low marginal physical product and high transportation costs significantly reduce the profitability of fertilizer use. Apart from reduced transportation costs, other constraints such as soil quality, timely access to the product, and availability of complementary inputs such as improved seeds, irrigation and credit, as well as good management practices are also necessary for sustained agricultural productivity improvements.