EXPLANATORY FACTORS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY IN MALI: An Empirical Study on Farming Households[Facteurs explicatifs de la productivité agricole au mali : Une étude empirique sur les ménages agricoles]

This article analyzes the determinants of agricultural productivity among rural households in Mali, in a context characterized by structurally low yields, increasing climate vulnerability, and deep inequalities in access to productive resources. Using data from the 2022–2023 National Agricultural Survey, a multiple linear regression model is estimated on a sample of 2,279 households. The results highlight four major drivers: (i) human capital, particularly higher education, associated with an average gain of 194 kg/ha; (ii) access to inputs, modern technologies, and agricultural training (+88 to +97 kg/ha); (iii) climatic conditions and territorial disparities, with an advantage of +97 kg/ha for agroecologically favorable zones; and (iv) individual characteristics, especially the negative effect of age (–19 kg/ha per additional year). The study confirms that productivity depends as much on technical factors as on social and spatial determinants. It proposes concrete measures such as functional literacy, continuous training, territorialized agricultural policies, and land tenure security for women and youth. The paper contributes to the literature on rural economics in the Sahel by combining econometric rigor, territorial contextualization, and actionable policy recommendations.