Barriers and drivers of ammonium nitrate fertilization adoption for barley in Tunisia’s dryland systems: do farmers’ perceptions matter?

Souissi, Asma; Dhehibi, Boubaker; Oumer, Ali M.; Ouerghemmi, Hassen; Frija, Aymen

Barriers and drivers of ammonium nitrate fertilization adoption for barley in Tunisia’s dryland systems: do farmers’ perceptions matter?

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Asma Souissi ¹

Boubaker Dhehibi ²

Ali M. Oumer ³

Hassen Ouerghemmi ²

Aymen Frija ²

¹ Higher School of Agriculture of Mograne, IRESA - University of Carthage, Zaghouan, Tunisia.

² International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Tunis, Tunisia.

³ Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Water scarcity and climate change threaten agricultural productivity in North Africa, particularly Tunisia. This study examines how smallholder farmers’ perceptions and farm-related conditions influence current use and future intention to use ammonium nitrate fertilizer. Survey data from 671 farmers were analysed using logistic regression. While 45.2% of respondents currently use ammonium nitrate, 66.3% intend to use it in the future. Current use is associated with access, financial capacity, perceived skills, information support, and exposure to shocks. Reporting bad and very bad access is associated with 61.9% and 71.6% lower odds of current ammonium nitrate use, respectively. Higher perceived skills and ability to pay increase the odds of current use by 37.3% and 31.5%, respectively. Information obtained through NGOs or government services is associated with approximately 5.5 times higher odds of current use. Hail exposure reduces current use, whereas wind shocks increase it. Future intention is shaped more strongly by prior experience, perceived benefits, constraints, and economic shocks. Each additional year of ammonium nitrate use increases the odds of future intention by 16.2%. Expected higher yields (OR = 17.05), drought resistance (OR = 16.74), and negotiability (OR = 26.80) significantly increase intention. Conversely, limited land (OR = 0.071), limited information (OR = 0.087), and lack of labour (OR = 0.332) significantly reduce future intention. Livestock loss, input-price increases, higher household consumption costs, and broader economic shocks also reduce farmers’ intentions to use ammonium nitrate. Policies should strengthen extension, improve affordability and access, and link fertilizer management with climate-resilient soil and water practices.

Keywords

Adoption

Ammonium nitrate

Logit model

Perception

Smallholder farmers

Sustainability

Subjects

Agricultural Economics/Agriculture Production and Farm Management

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