Household decision-making and introduction of new agricultural and household technologies in the Solenzo region of Burkina Faso

Pareena Gupta Lawrence, Purdue University

Abstract

This research investigates the impact of agricultural and household technologies on the income and welfare of women, using a theory of household decision-making. It also evaluates the process by which households determine their investment in household technologies. The Women in Development literature asserts that agricultural technologies can have an adverse impact on the income of women. This study examines this assertion. It develops a theory of how household decision-making evolves in a dynamic economic environment accompanied by economic growth. Combining the labor market with the theory of household decision-making, this research simulates the impact of agricultural and household technologies on intra-household allocation of income. It evaluates the decision-making process and attempts to identify technologies and policies that maximize the welfare of women and the households. The results of this research indicate that if households behave altruistically, agricultural technologies raises the income of both women and the farm household. With exploitative behavior, these technologies could potentially leave women worse or no better off. If bargaining behavior is the norm, as expected and documented by various household studies, agricultural technologies raises the income of women. Household technologies, in contrast, increases the incomes of women independent of decision-making. However, despite their potential benefit their adoption has been limited. Adoption of household technologies requires an investment decision. A two stage dynamic bargaining model is developed and employed to evaluate the household decision on whether to invest in new household technologies or buy durable consumer goods. The results and analysis conducted suggest that it may be rational for the household head to buy consumer durables instead of investing in household technologies. From a policy perspective this study recommends the introduction of both agricultural and household technologies. The theoretical analysis suggests that investment in household technologies can be increased by raising the opportunity cost of women's time. This over time would change the nature of decision-making and lead to a more interdependent form of utility function encouraging the household head or the women to adopt these technologies. Other suggested policies include subsidizing and marketing these technologies together, directly to women.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Sanders, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Economics|Agricultural economics|Home economics|Womens studies

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