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Abstract
This study uses nationwide household panel survey data from 1996/97 to 2006/07 to examine
trends in fertilizer use on maize by smallholder maize growers. The paper also compares
these findings with fertilizer use rates according to other recent surveys in Kenya to assess
comparability. We also examine the correlation between household fertilizer use and
indicators of welfare such as wealth and landholding size. In addition, we use econometric
techniques applied to household survey data to identify the main household and community
characteristics associated with fertilizer purchases. Lastly, the study considers alternative
policy strategies for maintaining smallholders’ access to fertilizer in the current context of
substantially higher world fertilizer prices.