Gender Gaps in Food Security in Rural Burkina Faso: Does Access To Agricultural Credit matter?

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Résumé

This paper examines the effect of access to agricultural credit on gender gaps in food security in rural Burkina Faso. We
used the Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition, relying on nationwide data. The results show that, compared to male-headed
households, female-headed households are more food insecure. Specifically, female-headed households have lower per
capita cereal production, a higher probability of self-reported food insecurity, poorer food consumption scores, and a
higher coping strategy index. Differences in access to agricultural credit account for a significant portion of these gaps.
Overall, the results show that women’s access to agricultural credit reduces the gender gap in food security by approxi
mately 11%. Policies aimed at enhancing women’s access to agricultural credit could therefore help improve their food
security. Furthermore, ensuring women’s access to land, agricultural equipment, fertilizers, and off-farm income-generat
ing opportunities is also important to reducing gender inequalities in food security.

Mots-clés

Agricultural credit · Gender inequality · Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition · Food security · Burkina faso