Impact of the adoption of semi-mechanized technologies of shea processing on rural womens income in Northern Benin (West Africa)

In Benin, the shea sector is one of the most promoted sectors in government’s attempt to diversify sources of farm income. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the adoption of the semi-mechanized shea processing on the income of rural women in northern Benin. In total, a random sample of 200 women processing shea was investigated. A probit model was firstly run to analyze the factors determining the adoption of the semi-mechanization. Then, a multiple regression model was used to assess the impact of adoption on women's income. The results highlighted that, the adoption of semi-mechanization was determined by availability of electricity, availability of a market, contact with extension services and shea processing as main activity for woman. Moreover, the adoption of semi-mechanization has induced a positive and significant increase of rural women’s income up to 103 914 Francs CFA. As a result, it is important that agricultural policy reinforce the promotion of modern agricultural processing technologies to improve the added value and to reduce poverty in rural areas. As well, electricity and market access, women’s level of education and contact with extension need to be improved.