Does the use of organic fertilisers mitigate the effect of land degradation on the multidimensional poverty ? Evidence from rural households in Burkina Faso

This study examines whether organic fertiliser use mitigates the relationship between land degradation and multidimensional poverty among rural households in Burkina Faso. Using data from the 2021 Harmonised Survey on Household Living Conditions, the results show that land degradation is positively and significantly associated with multidimensional poverty, increasing the probability of being multidimensionally poor by 0.423. However, the interaction between land degradation and organic fertiliser use is negative and significant (−0.431), indicating that the association between land degradation and multidimensional poverty is weaker among households using organic fertilisers. These findings suggest that organic fertiliser use may contribute to reducing the adverse welfare consequences associated with land degradation. The results also show significant associations between multidimensional poverty and access to credit, membership in association, and the age of the household head. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of sustainable soil management and the promotion of organic fertiliser use as complementary strategies for addressing the welfare consequences of land degradation among rural households in Burkina Faso. Strengthening agricultural extension, training, and farmers’ organisations could support the adoption of these practices.