Agricultural Productivity Growth in Burkina Faso: Disparities and Convergence Patterns Using the Meta-Frontier Färe–Primont Index

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Résumé

In developing countries where agriculture sustains rural livelihoods, advancing sustainable development and poverty reduction requires a better understanding of the drivers of agricultural productivity growth to promote inclusive growth and strengthen food security. This paper investigates the main constraints to agricultural productivity growth in Burkina Faso and analyses convergence dynamics across its provinces. Using a meta-frontier Färe–Primont index based on data envelopment analysis and panel data from 45 provinces (2009–2021), the results reveal that in the most technologically advanced agricultural zone, comprising the most efficient provinces, technological advantages are underutilised due to low technical efficiency. In contrast, the other major agricultural zones rely primarily on higher technical efficiency despite lagging in technological progress. Moreover, although evidence of productivity convergence is observed, idiosyncratic shocks frequently disrupt this process, limiting reductions in regional and national disparities. These findings suggest the need to strengthen farmer training and technical support in technologically advanced zones, whereas other areas require investment in agricultural R&D, infrastructure and productive equipment to stimulate technological progress. Future research should assess whether integrated interventions, combining farmer training, technical support and infrastructure development, produce larger productivity gains than individual policy measures to better inform economic policy interventions.

Mots-clés

Burkina Faso, Färe-Primont Index, Data Envelopment Analysis, Total Factor Productivity, Convergence