The MATA model (a tool to evaluate the impact of policies in the agricultural sector) is presented in this paper to analyse the policies undertaken afet the devaluation of Franc of the African Financial Community (FCFA) in Burkina Faso. After a summary description of the principles of the model, the situation in the country is described as incorporated in the model analyse actual and possible effects on farms (regional level), national production and consumers' consumption. The main conclusions are as follows: the actual policy was positive both for the farmers (mainly of the west region) and urban consumers, even if the impact on the global trade balance was not as high as expected; the impact of a liberal policy will be favourable for the agricultural sector of all regions, but it will be limited if there is no urban income growth, and the impact at the consumers' level will be very negative, especially for poor households; finally, an open market for fertilizers can be positive for all regions, but its outcome will be dependent on the possibilities for farmers to accumulate capital.