Methodological Evaluation of Smallholder Farm Systems in Senegal Using Quasi-Experimental Design for Efficiency Gains

Smallholder farming in Senegal is crucial for food security and rural livelihoods. However, understanding the efficiency of these systems remains challenging due to methodological limitations. A systematic literature review was conducted searching databases such as Web of Science and Scopus. Studies were screened based on predefined inclusion criteria related to methodology (quasi-experimental designs), context (Senegal), and outcomes (efficiency measures). The analysis revealed a significant direction in efficiency gains favoring farms that applied improved agricultural practices, with an estimated mean difference of 15%. Quasi-experimental designs have shown promise for assessing efficiency improvements in smallholder farm systems in Senegal. However, the robustness and generalizability need further empirical validation. Future research should focus on replicating findings across different regions within Senegal to enhance the external validity of the quasi-experimental design approach. The empirical specification follows $Y=\beta_0+\beta^\top X+\varepsilon$, and inference is reported with uncertainty-aware statistical criteria.