The Impact of Soil Degradation on Agricultural Production and Food Security in Burkina Faso
Date
2021-07-12
Authors
Boureima, Sawadogo
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Economic Research Consortium
Abstract
Based on a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model, the study examines the
impact of land degradation on agricultural production and food security using
three policy approaches: irrigation schemes, subsidies for agricultural inputs
and equipment, and rural infrastructure development (roads and rural markets).
These agricultural investment policies are funded through a combination of
direct taxes and assistance from technical and financial partners. The results
show that land degradation in Burkina Faso lowers Real Gross Domestic Product.
Indeed, the agricultural policies that have been implemented have effectively reversed the negative effects of land degradation on the agricultural sector. However,
agricultural policies such as improving the rural road network, expanding irrigation
capacities, and reducing costs of acquiring chemical fertilizers and farm equipment
are cost-effective measures for farmers. The results show that in the face of production
supply constraints emanating from the declining land productivity, the government
could, in the short and medium term, focus on extending irrigation schemes and
subsidizing agricultural inputs and equipment