Factors Predicting Profitability of Enterprises Funded by Microfinance Institutions in Burkina Faso

In sub-Saharan Africa, only 13% of new businesses show profitability and survive beyond start-up. Such a low rate of success has an adverse impact on the region economy as small and medium enterprises comprise 90% of African businesses. Understanding the cause of business failure can help existing and new entrepreneurs to focus on factors that may help to overcome barriers to business growth and increase entrepreneurs\u27 chances of success. The purpose of the correlation study was to examine the relationship between business ownership characteristics, resources and professional management, timing, and profitability. The resource-based theory served as the theoretical lens for the study. A random sample of 238 micro-, small, and medium enterprises in Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso, completed the questionnaire via the Survey Monkey website. Analysis revealed R-² (15, N = 238) = 94.9, p \u3c .005 (p = 0.000) supported the validity of Lussier\u27s model in predicting profitability. The data analysis showed that 14 out of 15 independent variables made a unique statistically significant contribution to the model at p \u3c 0.05. The implications for positive social change may include the potential to reduce entrepreneurship failure, increase employment opportunities, improve standards of living, and increase economic growth. New or existing businesses may benefit from the findings of the study in increased entrepreneurship success and job creation due to greater awareness of effective business success and failure models. Sustainability of micro-, small, and medium enterprises may increase the number of successful entrepreneurs who can provide regular meals for the families and send the children to school, which may lead to an increase in educational attainment

The Existence of Environmental Kuznets Curve: Is it a Methodological Fact?

Environmental Kuznets curve is believed to exist for some environmental indicators but not for others. Carbon dioxide, as a global pollutant, is also believed to be one among those indicators for which the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis cannot be verified. Quadratic and cubic parametric models have been commonly used in the environmental Kuznets curve estimation. The models tend to fix the relationship, while curve estimations need flexibilities that can only be met non-parametrically as it leaves room for data to speak for themselves. This paper applies the Epanechnikov kernel function for local polynomial smoothing of emission-income relationships. The overall (panel) emission-income relationship is an inverted U-shaped curve. Each country, except Norway, has reached its unique turning point. Developing countries must adopt stricter antipollution policies to slow down environmental damages. Keywords: Environmental Kuznets curve, nonparametric estimations, local polynomial smoothing, Epanechnikov kernel

Impact du Changement Climatique sur la Production du Riz dans les Différentes Régions de Côte d’Ivoire : cas du Haut Sassandra, de Gôh, de Poro, de Tonkpi, de Gbêkê et de N’zi

Cet article a pour objectif d’analyser l’effet que peut avoir le changement climatique sur la production du riz dans les différentes régions de Côte d’Ivoire de 2016 à 2019. Ce travail vise à analyser théoriquement et empiriquement cette relation entre le changement climatique et la production du riz. Le changement climatique influe sur la production du riz à travers la température, la précipitation et l’humidité. Pour réaliser l’étude, nous avons recouru à une approche économétrique sur données de panel. Les résultats des tests ont montré que ce sont l’humidité et la superficie (variable intermédiaire) qui influencent positivement la production du riz à long terme dans les différentes régions de Côte d’Ivoire. Par conséquent, l’étude recommande dans un premier temps que des efforts soient faits pour placer la riziculture au cœur des mesures d’adaptation et de résilience aux changements climatiques. Et dans un deuxième temps, de repenser la dimension foncière de l’activité rizicole par rapport à la raréfaction des ressources. En effet, il va s’agir d’adapter les solutions à chaque région, selon une approche agro-écologique propre.   The objective of this article is to analyze the effect that the climate change may have on rice production in the different regions of Côte d'Ivoire from 2016 to 2019. This work aims to analyze theoretically and empirically this relationship between climate change and rice production. Climate change affects rice production through temperature, precipitation and humidity. To carry out the study, we used an econometric approach with panel data. The results of the tests showed that humidity and area (an intermediate variable) positively influence rice production in the long term in the different regions of Côte d'Ivoire. Therefore, the study recommends as a first step that efforts should be made to place rice cultivation at the heart of climate change adaptation and resilience measures. And in a second step, to rethink the land dimension of the rice-growing activity in relation to the scarcity of resources. Indeed, the solutions will have to be adapted to each region, according to its own agro-ecological approach

Impact du Changement Climatique sur la Production du Riz dans les Différentes Régions de Côte d’Ivoire : cas du Haut Sassandra, de Gôh, de Poro, de Tonkpi, de Gbêkê et de N’zi

Cet article a pour objectif d’analyser l’effet que peut avoir le changement climatique sur la production du riz dans les différentes régions de Côte d’Ivoire de 2016 à 2019. Ce travail vise à analyser théoriquement et empiriquement cette relation entre le changement climatique et la production du riz. Le changement climatique influe sur la production du riz à travers la température, la précipitation et l’humidité. Pour réaliser l’étude, nous avons recouru à une approche économétrique sur données de panel. Les résultats des tests ont montré que ce sont l’humidité et la superficie (variable intermédiaire) qui influencent positivement la production du riz à long terme dans les différentes régions de Côte d’Ivoire. Par conséquent, l’étude recommande dans un premier temps que des efforts soient faits pour placer la riziculture au cœur des mesures d’adaptation et de résilience aux changements climatiques. Et dans un deuxième temps, de repenser la dimension foncière de l’activité rizicole par rapport à la raréfaction des ressources. En effet, il va s’agir d’adapter les solutions à chaque région, selon une approche agro-écologique propre.   The objective of this article is to analyze the effect that the climate change may have on rice production in the different regions of Côte d'Ivoire from 2016 to 2019. This work aims to analyze theoretically and empirically this relationship between climate change and rice production. Climate change affects rice production through temperature, precipitation and humidity. To carry out the study, we used an econometric approach with panel data. The results of the tests showed that humidity and area (an intermediate variable) positively influence rice production in the long term in the different regions of Côte d'Ivoire. Therefore, the study recommends as a first step that efforts should be made to place rice cultivation at the heart of climate change adaptation and resilience measures. And in a second step, to rethink the land dimension of the rice-growing activity in relation to the scarcity of resources. Indeed, the solutions will have to be adapted to each region, according to its own agro-ecological approach

Impact des Paramètres Climatiques sur la Production Rizicole dans les Différentes Régions de Côte d’Ivoire: Cas du Haut Sassandra, Goh, Poro, Tonkpi, Gbêkê, et N’zi

Partant du postulat que l’activité agricole est conditionnée par le climat, l’étude sur l’impact des paramètres climatiques sur la production de riz mérite d’être menée pour un pays qui ambitionne accroître sa production rizicole comme la Côte d’Ivoire. A cet effet, cette étude a eu pour objectif principal d'examiner l’effet que peut avoir le changement des déterminants climatiques sur la production de riz dans les différentes régions de Côte d’Ivoire de 2016 à 2019. Il était question d’analyser théoriquement et empiriquement cette relation entre les paramètres climatiques et la production de riz sur le cas ivoirien. La méthode statistique utilisée pour mieux cerner la relation entre ces deux sphères est basée sur une approche économétrique sur données de panel. Les résultats ont révélé seulement l’humidité comme le facteur climatique qui influence positivement la production de riz à long terme dans les différentes régions de Côte d’Ivoire. A ce facteur s’ajoute la variable intermédiaire: la superficie. Ces résultats invitent à formuler certaines implications politiques. En Côte d’Ivoire, il importe  de placer, d’une part, l’agriculture au centre des mesures d’adaptation aux changements climatiques c’est-à-dire orienter les politiques en eau, d’irrigation vers une exploitation plus rationnelle. Les autorités en charge du développement de la riziculture doivent créer des conditions pour le renforcement des capacités techniques (matériel, formation, vulgarisation) des  institutions de tutelle sur l’épineuse question du climat. D’autre part, il faille repenser la dimension foncière de l’activité rizicole par rapport à la raréfaction des ressources. Il s’agira donc d’adapter des solutions agro-écologiques selon la spécificité de chaque région ivoirienne.   Starting from the premise that agricultural activity is influenced by climate, studying the impact of climatic parameters on rice production becomes crucial for a country aiming to increase its rice yield, such as Côte. This paper focuses on examining the effects that changing climatic determinants might have had on rice production in different regions of Côte d’Ivoire from 2016 to 2019. The relationship between climatic parameters and rice production in the Ivorian context was theoretically and empirically analysed. To better understand this relationship, an econometric approach on panel data was employed. The results indicated that humidity was the sole factor that positively influenced rice production in the various regions of Côte d’Ivoire over the long term. An intermediate variable, namely the surface area, also played a contributing role. These findings prompt the formulation of specific policy implications. It is imperative in Côte d’Ivoire to prioritize agriculture in climate change adaptation measures, such as directing water and irrigation policies towards more efficient utilization. Authorities responsible for rice development must create conditions to enhance the technical capacities (equipment, training, extension) of institutions handling climate-related matters. There is also the need to evaluate the land tenure aspect of rice cultivation in response to resource scarcity. Agro-ecological solutions should be tailored to the distinct characteristics of each Ivorian region.   &nbsp

Mathematical Modeling and Optimal Control of Untrue Information : Dynamic SEIZ in Online Social Networks

We propose to model the phenomenon of the spread of a rumor in this paper. We manipulate a model that is based on SEIR model that specializes in spreading rumors. In the second part, we introduce a control strategy to fight against the diffusion of the rumor. Our main objective is to characterize the three optimal controls that minimize the number of spreaders, susceptibles who enter and spread the rumor, and skeptics. For that matter, using the maximum principle of Pontryagin, we prove the existence and give characterization of our controls. To illustrate the theoretical results obtained, numerical simulations are given to concretize our approach.Comment: 24 pages, 12 figure

Biophysical and Socioeconomic Impacts of Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration in Burkina Faso

Human actions such as overgrazing, the development of cities at the expense of forests, high intensity and poor agricultural management, and so forth, reduce the resources available for future generations. Because Earth has limited resources, it is important to judiciously use and manage natural resources. Human actions towards nature are the focus of my research in Africa. Increased demands for grazing, agriculture, and ecosystem services led some farmers in developing countries to use unsustainable practices, which may lead to low incomes and poor food nutrition for households. Farmer managed natural regeneration (FMNR) may be a solution to these issues. FMNR is a land restoration technique that consists of the protection and management of naturally regenerated trees to increase the value and quantity of woody vegetation in croplands. This increases food and wood production, farm income, and makes farmers more resilient to weather extremes. My research examines FMNR impacts in the Nord Plateau Mossi of Burkina Faso, where some farmers, men and women who till the land, work on or operate farmland, or make decisions about how a particular piece of farmland is used, were able to revegetate degraded lands. Few studies, however, show the impacts of FMNR on farmers’ lives. I wanted to know how FMNR affects soil productivity, household access to a variety of foods, and farmers’ income. To reach my objectives, I interviewed farmers in the study area to learn their motivations for choosing whether to adopt FMNR. In addition to providing motivations, the interviews provided information about how FMNR led to changes in families’ food and income. Additionally, I collected soil samples under trees and away from trees to assess their impact on soil fertility. The main findings of this research revealed that trees increased soil fertility by increasing soil carbon, organic matter, and nitrogen. Additionally, trees contribute 81 to 184 USD to household income per year. Trees also facilitates the obtaining of firewood, improves household access to a variety of foods, provides medicinal products, reduces wind speed, and keeps the soil moist. Tree leaves are used to fertilize croplands, make compost, and protect croplands from sunlight. Tree branches are used as poles for construction, wood for granaries, and fences. The findings of my research demonstrate an improvement in farmers’ lives and land which, in turn, can be used to educate other farmers to adopt FMNR to restore their degraded croplands, and thus contribute to the fight against poverty and hunger in Burkina Faso

APPORT DES CYCLES DANS LA VENTE DE LA VOLAILLE TRADITIONNELLE DANSLA VILLE DE DALOA (CENTRE-OUEST DE LA CÔTE D’IVOIRE)

In Côte d'Ivoire, with Decree No. 97-19 of January 15, 1997, the national territory is subdivided into 33 major regions. The one located in the Center-West of Côte d'Ivoire is characterized by animal protein distribution networks. With the means of communication, they leave the rural hinterlands (immediate and distant) to reach the town of Daloa, the capital of the Haut-Sassandra region. Food security has prompted the creation of modern farms in peri-urban areas to meet the enormous needs of city dwellers for poultry meat. Notwithstanding, poultry farming in peasant habitats regularly offers traditional poultry (chickens and guinea fowl) to Daloa users. The objective of this study is to know the distribution network of traditional poultry in Daloa. The documentary research, the direct observation and the interview sessions with the actors animating the said distribution network, made it possible to have the data and information necessary to carry out this article. Thus, two supply zones rely on the means of communication to supply the city of Daloa with traditional poultry. With the advent of the avian flu virus A (H5N1) epidemic in 2015, the street sale of traditional poultry intensified in this capital of the Haut-Sassandra region. This activity thus constitutes one of the sources of acquisition of pecuniary gains for the peasants whose annual income is still derisory.&nbsp