Does Agricultural Contract Farming in the Context of Climate Change Promote Food Security and Gender Equity in UEMOA Countries?

Abstract This paper examines the impact of agricultural contract farming on food security and gender equity in the countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) over the period 1996–2022. Using a panel simultaneous equations system estimated through the Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) and Three-Stage Least Squares (3SLS) methods, we show that contract farming significantly improves agricultural yields, strengthens women's participation, and contributes to better food availability and distribution. The results also highlight the adverse effects of climate change and rainfall variability on agricultural productivity. Access to agricultural inputs and credit appears to be a crucial factor in maximizing the benefits of contract farming arrangements. These findings suggest that integrated agricultural policies combining contract farming mechanisms, women’s inclusion, and climate adaptation strategies can sustainably enhance food security and gender equity in the region. Public policies should therefore adopt an integrated approach, simultaneously targeting productivity, climate resilience, and social equity. JEL Classification: Q12, Q18, J16, O12