Rethinking public support to agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa

The report examines the limitations of traditional input-heavy agricultural subsidies in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically in Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia. It argues that while these programs can stabilize production in the short term, they often hinder the transition to climate-resilient systems and negatively impact soil health. The document emphasizes that successful reform requires a holistic approach combining organic inputs, improved land governance, and complementary investments in infrastructure and market development.

• Current agricultural subsidy programs in sub-Saharan Africa are primarily focused on inorganic fertilizer and maize seed, which can lead to uneven production increases and negative impacts on soil health.
• While input subsidies can lower costs and stabilize production during shocks in the short term, they often discourage diversification and reinforce production systems that are not sustainable or climate-resilient.
• The success of subsidy reforms depends on program design and the presence of supporting frameworks, including secure land rights, affordable finance, and investments in infrastructure and data systems.

APA

McConnell,, C. (2026). Rethinking public support to agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/rethinking-public-support-agriculture-sub-saharan-africa

Chicago

McConnell,, Claire. Rethinking public support to agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2026. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/rethinking-public-support-agriculture-sub-saharan-africa.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=McConnell, |first1=Claire |title=Rethinking public support to agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=23 June 2026 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/rethinking-public-support-agriculture-sub-saharan-africa |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{mcconnell2026rethinking, author = {McConnell,, Claire}, title = {{Rethinking public support to agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2026}, month = jun, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/rethinking-public-support-agriculture-sub-saharan-africa}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }