Burkina faso: Th©odore Nikiema's research reveals the positive effects of agroecology on the food security of farming households. According to Burkina Information Agency, Nikiema defended his doctoral thesis in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science on July 27, 2026, at the Institute of Mathematics and Physical Sciences (IMSP) in Benin. His thesis, "Evaluation of the Agroecological Transition of Farms in Burkina Faso through an Empirical Approach," was awarded the highest distinction, demonstrating that farms with high agroecological intensity face less food insecurity compared to those using conventional methods (7% versus 15%.
The research was part of a sandwich training program between the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) of the University of Greenwich and IMSP of the University of Abomey-Calavi, supported by the PASET-RSIF Programme, with Burkina Faso as a financial contributor.
Based on a dataset of over 5,300 farms from Burkina Faso's Permanent Agricultural Survey, Nikiema developed a typology to assess the adoption of agroecological practices and measure agroecological intensity nationally and regionally. The results indicated that only 9% of farms had a high level of agroecological practice integration, highlighting potential for improvement.
Regional disparities were significant, with northern and north-central regions, as well as the eastern region, facing soil and climate challenges, utilizing more agroecological practices. The Eastern region is historically significant as it pioneered agroecological initiatives in the 1980s.
Nikiema's thesis also introduced a model using panel data and machine learning to forecast the adoption rates of agroecological practices, offering a solution for monitoring the transition in the absence of recent data.
The research identified challenges such as limited access to agricultural credit, marketing difficulties, and insufficient public policy support. However, benefits included better food security for agroecological households, gender inclusivity, and involvement in farmers' organizations.
Nikiema recommends reorienting agricultural policies towards sustainable practices and promoting agroecological products in markets and public supply programs. Encouragement is given to farms to integrate and diversify their production systems to maximize benefits.
The thesis jury, chaired by Professor Enoch Achigan and comprising notable experts, praised the scientific quality and relevance of the work, awarding Nikiema the highest distinction while suggesting improvements and postdoctoral research opportunities.
Th©odore Nikiema's contribution provides valuable scientific insights and tools to guide agricultural policies and accelerate Burkina Faso's agroecological transition.