Determinants of Rice Farmers' Participation in Fertilizer Subsidy Programs: A Case Study from the Baguineda Irrigated Perimeter, Mali

Abstract

Abstract

To increase agricultural productivity and income, while helping to address food insecurity, the Malian government has implemented fertilizer subsidy programs to support farmers, with oversight from agricultural technical services and directorates. This study examines the key factors influencing rice farmers' participation in the agricultural fertilizer subsidy program in the Baguineda Irrigated Perimeter of Mali. Data were collected from 384 rice farmers, including 234 non-beneficiaries and 150 beneficiaries of the subsidized fertilizer. A Logit model was used to analyze the determinants of rice farmers’ participation in the fertilizer subsidy program. The results indicate that factors such as cultivated area and yield have a significant positive influence on program participation, while training in agricultural production techniques has a significant negative influence. This is likely due to non-use of chemicals in rice cultivation, based on these results, the study recommends implementing strategies to increase agricultural production including expanding agricultural land development and. It also suggests providing more targeted on the use of chemical and organic fertilizer, training to farmers on different cultivation techniques and promoting participation in agricultural input subsidy programmes, with the overall goal of improving agricultural productivity.

Key words: Fertilizer subsidy - Rice farming – Agricultural productivity, Participation Factors, Mali