Policies and Actions to Stimulate Private-sector Fertilizer Marketing in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This new publication synthesizes available literature on fertilizer market reform and the economics of fertilizer use in sub-Saharan Africa, in order to identify lessons learned from reform over the past two decades. It identifies areas of consensus for improving fertilizer markets and increasing fertilizer use, evaluates the ongoing debates, and proposes potential actions for resolving debates and moving forward to higher levels of consumption and more efficient fertilizer marketing. Particular attention is paid to the subject of fertilizer price subsidies, where it is noted that the literature does not strongly support the renewed enthusiasm in the region for subsidies.

It is hoped that the paper will provide valuable information for policymakers and their advisors in Africa, as well as for donors and fertilizer marketing companies.

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Seed Marketing

Increased production of agricultural crops depends not only on the development of higher-yielding varieties of seeds but also on the efficiency of the systems available to ensure that these seeds reach the farmer on time. Effective seed marketing is thus an essential component of activities to improve food security. The entire range of seed marketing activities is addressed in this publication. Methodologies for researching the market are reviewed and approaches for forecasting demand are considered. Ways of best organizing a company's product range to supply demand are then discussed, followed by a chapter on seed pricing. The publication considers seed distribution management and also reviews techniques of promotion, advertising, extension and demonstration. A final chapter discusses planning of these marketing activities.

Order Seed Marketing, Agricultural Services Bulletin No 114, Price US$15.00.
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Publications on Fertilizer Marketing include:

Fertilizer Retailing Guide

This guide is for all fertilizer retailers whether they are private individuals or work with cooperatives or government agencies. The text consists of answers to questions posed by a retailer.

The topics discussed include advice on running a fertilizer business, with particular emphasis on ways of controlling costs, the economics of using fertilizer, ways to promote fertilizer sales, characteristics of fertilizers, storage and handling, and the use and application of fertilizer.

This guide can be ordered from the International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA)

Demand Forecasting for Fertilizer Marketing

Accurate forecasting of fertilizer demand is essential, both for companies producing, importing and marketing fertilizer and for governments in their efforts to monitor the development of agriculture. This publication sets out to meet the needs of private and public fertilizer companies and of ministries of agriculture and other relevant ministries. It identifies the main forecasting techniques available and provides advice on methods to be adopted which are practical within the context of the limited resources available in most developing countries.

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Manual on the Control of Fertilizer Losses

Advises managers of fertilizer concerns not only on how to measure losses but also how to implement practical management and control systems to minimise those losses.

For copies of the above publications on fertilizer marketing, please contact AGS-registry@fao.org