The unintended consequences of the fertilizer subsidy program on crop species diversity in Mali

Over a decade ago, the Malian government launched a fertilizer subsidy program to expand fertilizer use, boost productivity, and ultimately, improve food and nutrition security. The program specifically targets key crops in the socio-economic development of Mali: rice, cotton, maize, millet, and sorghum. All farmers of target crops are eligible to obtain subsidized fertilizer at a quantity proportional to the number of hectares they expect to...