Agricultural Productivity and Major Driving Factors

The agriculture sector is the growth engine of Benin’s economy. Most development reforms implemented does include the agricultural development prospects. The major agricultural reform was the agricultural market liberalization undertaken in 1990. This was in line with the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) advised by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. It was expected that the agricultural liberalization could contribute to stimulate agricultural competiveness, innovation, enhance productivity and economic growth. However, till today, very limited research proved the real effect of agricultural liberalization on the sector productivity. This book therefore, used productivity measurement approach to quantify Benin's agricultural productivity, evaluate whether the agricultural market liberalization has significantly contributed to improve agricultural productivity. Moreover, simulation was made for testing the country's current Agricultural Boosting Strategic (PSRSA) goals to be achieved by 2015.Finally, the major agricultural productivity growth driving factors were identified and suggestions of policies implications are given.