Fertilizer use in West Africa has stagnated around 8 -14 kg nutrients/ha for the past decade, far below the goal of 50 kilograms per hectare (kg/ha) set for 2015 by the Abuja Declaration. Efforts to increase fertilizer use by smallholder farmers have had sporadic successes, but no long-lasting impact on crop productivity, food security, and economic growth in the region. To optimize crop productivity and increase income, farmers in West Africa need improved access to fertilizers, other input technologies, and effective soil fertility management practices, accessible at affordable prices.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Enhancing Growth through Regional Agricultural Input Systems (EnGRAIS) program is a five-year regional activity, funded by USAID/ West Africa with the aim of reinforcing the capacities of West African institutions and associations that play a key role in the fertilizer supply chain, and which can have a positive and lasting impact on improving farmers’ access to inputs. EnGRAIS focuses on supporting the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF), the newly established West Africa Fertilizer Association (WAFA), and other relevant private sector organizations in the region to address critical issues that constrain the effective supply and use of agricultural inputs in West Africa.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

  • Sustainable improvement of the fertilizer policy and regulatory environment across West Africa through support to ECOWAS.
  • Development and dissemination of appropriate agricultural input packages to farmers in cooperation with CORAF.
  • Creation of a competitive, inclusive, private sector-led regional fertilizer market.
  • Mobilizing commitment and harmonizing engagement of key stakeholders across West Africa supported by Mission buy-ins.

PROGRAM SUCCESS

1) Developed an innovative online tool, the Fertilizer and Seeds Recommendations for West Africa Map (FeSeRWAM, https://feserwam.org/), that provides farmers with information on more than 100 comprehensive and effective agro-input packages, including recommendations for appropriate seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural practices for all major crops and agro-ecological zones in 12 countries across West Africa.

2) Incentivized over $35 million in increased investments in the fertilizer sector in West Africa, completing four fertilizer corridor cost build up assessments and a simulator to determine, analyze, and best manage the costs of supplying fertilizer to farmers in West Africa.

3) Facilitated the arrangement of a $520 million line of credit from the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development to WAFA’s 70 members to provide additional financing for them to produce, procure, and/or blend and supply needed fertilizers.

4) Published the West Africa Fertilizer Watch that provided important information and analysis on fertilizer stocks, logistics, access, and policy situations, and worked with governments to declare fertilizers as “essential” commodities whose movement would not be restricted, ensuring that farmers across West Africa had enough fertilizers before the start of the 2020 planting season.

Program Information

Goal: To improve sustainable agricultural productivity and inclusive growth through regional availability and use of appropriate and affordable fertilizer for millions of smallholder farmers in West Africa.

Life of Program: February 2018 – February 2023

Total USAID Funding: $25 million - including $8.5 million Senegal Mission buy-in

Geographic Focus: West Africa Region

Implementing Partner: International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)

Regional Partners: ECOWAS, CORAF, CILSS, West Africa Fertilizer Association (WAFA)