Impact of the adoption of improved corn varieties in rural households in Burkina Faso

Abstract

The present study aims to assess the impact of the adoption of improved maize varieties developed and/or disseminated by INERA on farmers’ well-being, as measured through specific economic and social indicators in the “Bankui” region of Burkina Faso. The implementation of this study was made possible thanks to the commitment of agricultural extension agents, the Regional Maize Producers' Cooperative, and maize producers. The training of data collection agents and the pre- testing of the questionnaire made it possible to collect fairly reliable data from 386 heads of households in eleven (11) villages in the communes of Ouarkoye and Yaho, where maize is widely cultivated. The Marginal Treatment Effect (MTE) method was used to analyze the impact of adopting improved corn varieties on producers' income, overall expenses, expenses related to children's schooling, and household poverty. The adoption of these varieties improved the poverty status of households. The adoption of these varieties has improved the poverty status of households. For those who have adopted them, it is associated with an average increase in agricultural profit of 12.26 CFA francs/ha compared to the counterfactual situation without adoption, and an average increase in school expenses of 3.47 CFA francs per household per year. It therefore plays an important role in improving households' living conditions. Extension and research agents should develop relevant strategies for the widespread dissemination of improved maize varieties. It therefore plays an important role in improving household living conditions. Extension and research agents should develop relevant strategies for the widespread dissemination of improved maize varieties.