Biofertilizers can be produced locally, hence reducing the trade deficit while also being more affordable for farmers compared to conventional products (54).

Biofertilizers pose fewer health risks to farmers, especially those working closely with agricultural inputs on a daily basis over extended periods (57).

Biofertilizers offer a safer alternative to synthetic fertilizers, causing less soil deterioration by promoting nutrient availability and microbial activity. They reduce erosion, support long-term soil fertility, and maintain or even enhance crop yields (50).

Producing biofertilizers contributes to increasing the quantities of fertilizer used per hectare, contributing to higher yields, a reduction in food imports, and the fight against food insecurity (50).

If biowaste is not stored properly, nor production of biofertilizers adequately supervised, biofertilizers can be contaminated with harmful pathogens such as heavy metals or other pollutants, leading to negative health outcomes for farmers and consumers. This is especially true if the source materials (e.g., fish waste or seaweed) are not properly treated (60).

While biofertilizers are generally more sustainable than chemical fertilizers, improper production processes or overuse could still lead to environmental harm, such as nutrient run-off into water bodies, leading to eutrophication (61).

If biofertilizer production disrupts the existing market for traditional fertilizers, retailers and farmers who rely on established suppliers and practices may face challenges adapting.

Gender inequality and/or marginalization risk: Women and marginalized individuals involved in the manual aspects of biofertilizer production might face exposure to biohazards.

If the cost of chemical fertilizers falls, farmers may be less inclined to adopt biofertilizers. The social and environmental benefits of biofertilizers would therefore be impacted.

If the production of biofertilizers is insufficiently controlled, traditional fertilizers could be labelled as ‘organic’, which would constitute unfair competition and would complicate the identification of truly organic fertilizers.

Unregulated biofertilizer production and output quality could lead to inconsistent nutrient profiles, leading to either under-supply or oversupply of nutrients like nitrogen or phosphorus, thereby impacting agricultural production (62).

Gender inequality and/or marginalization risk: If biofertilizer production is commercialized or controlled by larger agricultural enterprises, small-scale women farmers and marginalized groups might struggle to access these products due to high costs or distribution limitations.

Help boost agricultural productivity, improve farmers' health, lead to soil restoration and limit biodiversity loss from agriculture.

The National Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity in Côte d'Ivoire advocates for the scaling up of biofertilizer production as a sustainable agricultural practice aligned with environmental and food security goals (32).

The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2016–2020 (Stratégie et plan d'action pour la diversité biologique nationale 2016-2020) designates chemical fertilizers as responsible for environmental disruptions and presents a roadmap for expanded biofertilizer adoption (34).

The National Agricultural Investment Program II (Programme National d'Investissement Agricole II or PNIA II) seeks to elevate agriculture as a key economic driver in Côte d'Ivoire with 9% of its GDP, targeting an overall growth in the primary sector of 9% a year. It promotes sustainable agriculture, and lists the development of organic fertilizers among its priorities, along with the expansion of agroforestry and stringer controls on conventional fertilizers (8).

The National Climate-Smart Agriculture Strategy for Côte d'Ivoire addresses broad food security issues in Côte d'Ivoire, including access to nutritious food, resilience to shocks, and sustainable agricultural production. It stresses the importance of biofertilizers for the development of climate-smart agriculture (41).

Fiscal incentives: Under the Investment Code (2018), agriculture and agro-industrial firms, including biofertilizer producing plants, can benefit from incentives such as Corporate Income Tax exemptions, real estate tax exemptions, and employer contribution exemptions, depending on the zone in which they operate. In rural areas, exemptions can reach 100% over 10 years, following a 75% exemption over five years, on corporate income tax, property tax, employer contributions, etc. (46).

Other incentives: Various technical training on biofertilizer production and use are offered by public and private entities as well as NGOs (Conseil Café-Cacao, Yara, Sens Solidaire). These facilitate the adoption of biofertilizers (47, 20).

Other incentives: Competitions and funding programs from organizations such as the World Bank, the Louis Dreyfus Foundation, and other entities present valuable financing opportunities for SMEs. In 2019, the Louis Dreyfus contest offered 24 million CFA Francs in 2019 (USD 38,473) to the four winning entrepreneurs. The World Bank's Agriculture Sector Support Project also includes providing farmers with subsidized fertilizers, which can benefit biofertilizer producers (34, 35, 64).

Loi d’Orientation Agricole (2015): lays out several measures promoting sustainable agriculture and biofertilizers, including the creation of local production units for organic and mineral fertilizers. It also offers incentives for "green investments," which include biofertilizers as part of sustainable agricultural inputs (33).

Regulation C/REG.13/12/12 of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the Quality Control of Fertilizers states that fertilizers can be sold or used in Côte d'Ivoire if they comply with an ISO standard, are covered by an Approval or a Temporary Import Authorization, or consist of raw organic products (42).

MBFi, Rizobacter, Novozymes, Elephant Vert, Confédération Générale des Entreprises de Côte d’Ivoire (CGECI), Lono, Icon, Green Countries, Biofertil.

Ministère de l'Agriculture et du Développement Rural, Ministère Environnement, Développement Durable et Transition Ecologique, Centre de Promotion des Investissements en Côte d’Ivoire (CEPICI).

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), Innovation Fund for Development, European Institute for Cooperation and Development, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

West African Fertilizer Association, Farm Foundation, United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The Lacs District is a major producer of fruit and vegetables, a crop that requires a lot of fertilizers (26).

Vallée du Bandama is a major producer of fruit and vegetables, crops requiring large amounts of fertilizers. The Kan River, located within the district, is highly polluted, notably due to fertilizers (26, 51).

Sassandra-Marahoué is a large producing district of bananas, cassava, potatoes, avocados and vegetables, which are intensive in fertilizers. Chemical contamination of the Sassandra river in relation to fertilizer use is also a major issue in the district (27, 52).

Seaweed and fish waste from aquaculture can be constituents of biofertilizers, and enhance plants' tolerance to salinity. Bas-Sassandra is ideally located to supply these inputs due to its extended coastline. Chemical contamination of the Sassandra river in relation to fertilizer use is also a major issue in the district (48, 52).

Seaweed and fish waste from aquaculture can be constituents of biofertilizers, and enhance plants' tolerance to salinity. The Lagunes district is a crucial location, due to the presence of the Bandama and Komoé rivers along with its large coastline and abundance of lagoons. In addition, lagoons are fragile ecosystems particularly vulnerable to chemical pollution, with ongoing evidence of contamination from pesticides and fertilizers (48, 53).