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Beyond poverty reduction: Evidence from a multifaceted program on poverty, nutrition and child development

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  • Bouguen, Adrien
  • Dillon, Andrew

Abstract

We study the impacts of a multifaceted program implemented in Burkina Faso that targets ultra-poor households with young children or pregnant women. The design includes a cash transfer program (T1), T1 plus animal transfer (T2) and T2 plus a nutrition bundle which includes fortified flour, a gardening kit and nutrition education (T3). We find that the program reduces extreme poverty in all treatment branches, but only T3 positively impacts child nutrition. T3 also impacts motor and cognitive development of new born children. Our results suggest that while standard multi-faced programs are effective at reducing poverty, nutritionally focused programs are likely necessary to better address children’s long-run earning potential via improved cognitive skills.

Suggested Citation

  • Bouguen, Adrien & Dillon, Andrew, 2026. "Beyond poverty reduction: Evidence from a multifaceted program on poverty, nutrition and child development," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:178:y:2026:i:c:s0304387825001476
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2025.103596
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development

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