West Africa fertilizer study, v. 7 : Mauritania

In response, USAID requested the International Fertilizer Development Center to determine the region"s capacity to produce, market and use fertilizer. A series of reports (of which this report on Mauritania is part) resulted from that assessment. Topics covered include population, food production, current marketing and use of fertilizers and crop yield responses to specific fertilizers. Seventeen statistical tables corresponding to these topics are provided, including cost/price and value/cost ratios. The authors recommend implementation of a concentrated soil fertility project (in liasion with current research and extension groups) to determine crop responses to fertilizer nutrients, especially phosphate rock on small and medium-sized farms. A detailed survey of known phosphate deposits should be made. The cost of grinding phosphate rock for direct application should also be studied. Other activities recommended by the authors include an in-depth analysis of social costs and benefits resulting from expansion of land area in production as compared with increasing productivity per unit; and an assessment of the institutions, and a study to identify ways to improve agricultrual statistical reporting. Publications (both in French and English) used in preparing the report are referenced. Appendices on fertilizer raw material deposits and recommended projects are also included.