Analysis of the effect of crop diversification on food security in Burkina Faso

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze the effect of crop diversification on the food security of agricultural households in Burkina Faso. The Simpson index of diversification has been used to measure crop diversification and the “endogenous switching model” to correct the existing selection bias between diversification and food security. Our findings show that diversifying households are more food insecure than non-diversifying households. These findings support that crop diversification should be backed up by the use of fertilizers. Thus, if the government wants to improve the food security of agricultural households through crop diversification, it is necessary to put particular emphasis on input policies.