Input use and market development in Sub-Saharan Africa: an overview

This paper sets forth the background and objectives of this special issue. Trends in input use since 1980 are reviewed and a conceptual framework is presented for analyzing problems of input use and formulating strategies for resolving them. Reasons for low levels of fertilizer use by smallholder farmers are summarized briefly. The essential points of the papers in the special issue, and their implications for further expansion of input use in Sub-Saharan Africa, are then outlined. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.