Agro-ecological characteristics and gender gap in cereal productivity: evidence from small households in Burkina Faso

Abstract

This paper analyzes the impact of agro-ecological partitioning on the gender gap in cereal productivity in Burkina Faso. The pooled OLS regression method and an extension of the Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition are used to estimate the effect of agro-ecological division on the gender gap in cereal productivity. The results show that women have 12.4% lower yields than men, and there is a 16.28% increase in the overall gap in the three environmentally less advantaged regions. A detailed analysis indicates that the gender effect is not significant in the region with high agricultural potentialities, whereas it is significant in the ecologically less advantaged regions. Considering the sample of household heads, we find that the Sahelian zone contributes to reducing the effect of agro-ecological characteristics on the yield gap. This result suggests that decision-making power within the household would allow women producers to improve their yields and close the gender gap. To reduce the gender gap in cereal productivity, policymakers should consider regional agro-ecological potentialities and women empowerment. Clinical trial registration Not applicable JEL codes: J16; D24; C49