The FAO Regional Office for Africa will host a Peer Learning Workshop on the Implementation of Fertilizer Subsidy Programmes in Africa on 13-14 December 2011 at the Southern Sun Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya.

The peer learning workshop is designed to share national experiences on the design, implementation and management of fertilizer subsidy programmes in SSA. 

Over the past half a decade, several countries in SSA have re-initiated fertilizer subsidy programmes with the common goal of improving food security by supporting small poor farmers improve their productivity and production of food crops.

The effects of such programmes on the development of fertilizer markets in Africa,  the fiscal sustainability of the ever-burgeoning programmes, and the repercussions this may create on the political economy of the global agriculture and food industry are critical questions for policy analysis and debate.

During the peer learning seminar, FAO will bring together policy analysts and fertilizer programme managers alongside the direct beneficiaries of subsidy programmes, namely farmers and private sector dealers to discuss key issues surrounding the process of policy implementation. Core development partners such as IFDC, AGRA and NEPAD will also attend.

By documenting lessons learned through peer learning, FAO aims to highlight best practice in the delivery of fertilizer subsidies with the aim of supporting governments to make informed policy decisions.