The Role of Fertilizer: Digging into the Roots of the Food Crisis within Zambia

Hidden beneath the soil lies a world of small-scale farmers that work to feed the growing population of Africa. These farmers have a duty to provide food for the country, even with the little resources and materials necessary to succeed. Out of 119 countries surveyed in a report by the 2018 Global Hunger Index, Zambia was ranked number five as the most famished nation internationally (Grebmer). Forced to make ends meet, these small landowning farmers signify the root of the real issue in Zambia: the reality of starvation.

In Zambia, access to sustainable food and crops are difficult for most people and farmers. There are several factors that contribute to this country’s overall crisis, including droughts, civil unrest, low water supply, and lack of government interference (African Famine Relief). However, the most crucial is the widespread lack of fertilizer (Minde).

All across Africa, small-scale farmers make up almost 70% of the population (The World's Most Expensive), and they produce over 80% of crops and products (Agriculture). Fertilizer is linked to higher yielding and better quality crops because they are nutrient-rich (Why is Fertilizer Important). Farmers struggle to produce enough food to feed the population, which is predicted to reach almost two billion by the year 2026 (Grebmer). The lack of fertilizer in Zambia is a direct result of the rising price of fertilizer, the high cost of transportation to distribute and import, and government corruption. These factors contribute to the significantly dangerous famine looming over Zambia.

In the last year, fertilizer prices have doubled its cost (Minde), and a study from 2011 shows that the cost of fertilizer in Africa is almost four times the amount than in Europe (The World's Most Expensive). The production of maize, the highest yielding crop, is expected to drop by almost half if the cost of fertilizer continues to increase (Maingaila).

The high cost of transportation stems from the small number of domestic fertilizer factories, which forces Zambia to import from abroad (The World's Most Expensive). Both import fees and transportation costs are expensive because organic fertilizer is only manufactured in bulk abroad and individual farms are far apart to distribute (Gilbert). Thus, if the fertilizer arrives later than the ideal gap within the crop growth cycle, then crop production will decline, and the soil will degrade (Promoting Fertilizer Use). These high costs are not expected to be lowered any time soon (Maingaila).

Lastly, government corruption has played a role in the lack of fertilizer issue in Zambia. The government stated that fertilizer distribution was fully completed in October of 2018 (Zambia: The Distribution). However, only two months later, dealers under a government program were discovered selling subsidized fertilizer to Tanzanians, who were paying a higher price, leaving angry farmers with no fertilizer (Zambia: Dealers). There is a discrepancy that exists between the government and the farmers, leading to an unequal distribution of fertilizer.

As one wonders why Zambia is considered to be number five of the world’s famished countries, it is clear that the high cost of fertilizer, transportation cost, and government corruption contribute significantly to the overall problem. Zambia is a country in need of help, and the distribution of low-cost fertilizer to farmers must become a new reality, or else the famine will continue to spread (Gilbert). Without these changes, small-scale farmers may be left powerless to the growing famine that will leave the entire country of Zambia starving.

Works Cited 

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Grebmer, Klaus von, et al. “Global Hunger Index.” Concern Worldwide U.S., Inc, Oct. 2018. https://www.concernusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/GHI-2018.pdf.

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“Why Fertiliser Subsidies in Africa Have Not Worked.” The Economist. The Economist Newspaper. 1 July 2017. www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2017/07/01/why-fertiliser-subsidies-in-africa-have-not-worked.

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“The World's Ten Hungriest Countries.” Concern Worldwide. Concern Worldwide U.S., Inc. 12 Oct. 2018. www.concernusa.org/story/worlds-ten-hungriest-countries/.

“Zambia: Dealers and Cooperatives Selling Subsidized Fertilizer to Tanzanians Nationals in Luwingu.” Lusaka Times. 28 Dec. 2018. www.lusakatimes.com/2018/12/28/dealers-and-cooperatives-selling-subsidized-fertilizer-to-tanzanians-nationals-in-luwingu/.

“Zambia: The Distribution of Fertilizer for the 2018/2019 Farming Season Is Complete, Declares Government.” Lusaka Times. 25 Oct. 2018. www.lusakatimes.com/2018/10/25/the-distribution-of-fertilizer-for-the-2018-2019-farming-season-is-complete-declares-government/.