Agricultural input subsidies in Sub-Saharan Africa - EVALUATION STUDY 2011/2

The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. [...] Structure of the study We structure the study of the input subsidy programmes into the following headlines, which consider the most important elements of smart subsidy programmes: • Background: What were the motivations for the subsidy programmes? • Outcome: What are the overall outcomes of the subsidy programmes in terms of increases in input use, agricultural productivity and output, changes in. [...] and how do the benefits compare to the costs of the programme? • Scope: What is the size of the programme, how wide does it cover and what is the extent of subsidisation? • Targeting: What type of targeting and rationing mechanism (e.g. [...] 13 The efficiency of the programme is also affected by the timing of deliveries and the extent of fraud and corruption by programme stakeholders. [...] The World Bank (2010) study also estimates the total costs of the programme, amounting to ZMK 183 billion, or USD 47 million, including direct costs of the inputs, administration and logistics, as well as the indirect costs of salaries paid to government staff in proportion to the resources spent on the programme and farmer contributions.