The Relationship Between Key Indicators of NERICA Rice Diffusion and Human Health Outcomes in Western Africa

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between the main indicators of NERICA rice – rice yield, rice production quantity and rice gross product value (GPV) – and health outcomes in 10 countries throughout Western Africa. The health outcomes of interest are the average protein supply in grams per capita per day and the share of women of reproductive age (15 – 49) affected by anemia. The methodology used to discern this relationship is a panel data regression model from 1999 - 2018. I find no statistically significant relationship between the two health outcomes and rice yield or rice gross product value; but do find that increases in rice production quantity result in a decrease in average protein supply/g/capita/day and an increase in rice yield decrease the share of women inflicted with anemia. This implies that there are both positive and negative health outcomes associated with the adoption of NERICA rice. This has some basis within existing literature, but is a surprising result, nonetheless.