Which policy would work better for improved soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa, fertilizer subsidies or carbon credits?

► We compare carbon credits with fertilizer subsidies in supporting adoption of soil fertility inputs. ► The yield, carbon sequestration and profitability of practices studied are decidedly positive. ► Resource poverty should explain low adoption if returns to adoption are high. ► Paying for sequestered carbon at $4/t is on average comparable to a 50% subsidy. ► Paying for sequestered carbon can be a competitive choice in some cases.