Promoting women autonomy in the agricultural sector: Is productivity land access mode wise and gender differentiated?

Productivity in the agricultural sector, and in particular that linked to land use, is a major issue in sub-Saharan African countries, particularly Benin. As more and more women become active in agriculture, the crucial question is how to improve their land productivity. A survey carried out in 2021 in Benin among 2819 farming households, including 899 women, reveals major disparities in land productivity according to gender and mode of access to land. Women's productivity is on average 25 % lower than men's, mainly due to their limited access to quality land and ownership (only 7 % of women own land, compared with 54 % of men). However, women landowners outperform men: their labor productivity reaches 131 % and their capital productivity 135 % compared to their male counterparts. Land acquired through purchase and inheritance yields the highest returns, underscoring the crucial role of land tenure security is improving agricultural productivity and empowering rural women. Yet, even among women landowners, labor productivity varies significantly. Unmarried women demonstrate markedly higher productivity levels than married women. The survey found a striking 217 % labor productivity gap between them. These findings emphasize the necessity of inclusive land policies that ensure secure and equitable access to land for women. Such policies are essential not only for boosting agricultural productivity but also for combating rural poverty and advancing gender equality. Furthermore, policies and interventions that consider the social and marital dynamics affecting women farmers are more likely to be effective in enhancing both productivity and the overall well-being of rural women. More effective interventions to improve the productivity and living conditions of rural women.