Abstract
Building strong health capital is essential to maintain a workforce that can sustain and boost agricultural productivity at every scale of operation. This study examines the connections between health capital, labour dynamics, and agricultural performance in sixteen West African countries, using data from 1985 to 2023. It applied a panel Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) method to tackle possible endogeneity. Drawing on indicators such as life expectancy, infant mortality, health spending, labour force participation rate, and gross fixed capital formation, the analysis shows that investments in health and physical capital markedly increase agricultural output, whereas idle labour and ongoing health risks limit productivity. Diagnostic tests and post-estimation checks verify the reliability of these results. The findings highlight the importance of coordinated policies that advance healthcare systems, workforce engagement, and capital investment to maximize agricultural efficiency. By connecting human and physical capital to sector-specific output, this research provides practical guidance for policymakers aiming to enhance food security, economic progress, and sustainable development in West Africa.