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 With funding support from USAID/Angola,
an IFDC team, led by Dr. Lawrence L. Hammond, the former IFDC Director
of the Resource Development Division, conducted an assessment of the
factors constraining fertilizer use and supply in Angola. Limited
agronomic research support and technical knowledge, a non-conducive
policy environment, poor rural infrastructure, an underdeveloped private
distribution network, inadequate business skills and technical
knowledge, high product prices, lack of purchasing power of farmers, the
lack of market information and the absence of a regulatory framework
constrain fertilizer use and supply in the country. However, the country
offers good potential for the orderly development of a market-based
input supply system. Recommendations for improving fertilizer use and
supply include: soil analysis and field trials to develop optimum
fertilizer recommendations using new fertilizer products, field
demonstrations and training to improve farmers’ knowledge base about new
technologies, and development of output markets. Developmental work is
also needed in the areas of policy improvement, human capital
development, improved access to finance and market information, and
creation and enforcement of regulatory systems. Based on this work, a
project proposal has been submitted to USAID/Angola.
The IFDC team also conducted an
assessment of the potential for use of Angolan natural resources for
local production of nitrogen and/or phosphate fertilizers. Two
phosphate deposits are located in Angola, and analysis is in progress to
determine if the reserves are sufficient to support a phosphate
fertilizer industry. Likewise, natural gas is abundant in Angola, and a
feasibility study for a liquefied natural gas project and an ammonia
project is currently being conducted by the Government of Angola. IFDC
is evaluating the merit of including a urea project to consume partially
future supplies of the ammonia.
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