L'accès au crédit ou à l'éducation: quel facteur pour réduire les différences de productivité du maïs entre femmes et hommes au Burkina Faso ?

Abstract

This paper analyses the role of credit and education in the differences in maize productivity between women and men in Burkina Faso. The Oaxaca and Blinder decomposition was used on a sample of 2 421 maize-producing households. The results show that women's access to agricultural credit reduces differences in productivity by about 8.44%. On the other hand, the low endowment of agricultural equipment, as well as the low participation of women in farmers' organisations, deprive them of a great deal of opportunities that could increase their productivity. The link between education and gender gaps in agricultural productivity was not established, however, and was explained by a possible mismatch between formal education programmes and the realities of rural areas. The results suggest the strengthening of credit distribution policies with preferential interest rates, and the establishment of a fund-monitoring system.