Supporting youths to continue further education in emerging nations: food for education intervention or education for food policy?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gazi Mahabubul Alam ◽  
Tajularipin Sulaiman
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Or Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Emerging Nations ◽  
The Government

PurposeFood security for students is very important if they are to achieve both quantitative and qualitative success in their education and later career. Consequently, “food for education (FFE)” intervention is provided for poorer students who are in primary school in many developing countries. This has helped to achieve the objective of universal education. In absence of a food security programme from the secondary provision, students from poorer families are forced to discontinue their education. For this reason, the success of FFE intervention has been criticised as unsustainable. This paper aims to explore a food security model that can lead to the sustainable development of education in developing nations.Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative study collected primary data from students who were being educated in Bangladesh and receiving “FFE” intervention. In total, 576 respondents (equal number of boys and girls) were selected from six schools located in urban and rural areas. Secondary data were accessed from the archives of the Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS) and the World Bank. The paper adopts a descriptive analysis method for primary and secondary sources to report the findings.FindingsFree schooling supported by “FFE” intervention is the key to achieving education for all (EFA) targets. Since its inception, 93% of students who received an FFE intervention have at least completed their primary school education. The success of FFE has encouraged the government to provide a massive intervention strategy which began in 2011. This helped to achieve the EFA target. Despite this success and while nearly 18% of FFE-intervened graduates have completed their secondary education, none went to higher secondary school, let alone tertiary level. The lack of food security was the main reason for youths not continuing with their further education.Originality/valueThe “FFE” programme may work well for children who are being educated since they do not shoulder any family responsibility. In reality, teenagers and adults in emerging nations should devote themselves to ensuring there is enough food for their families. This research presents a new policy option, labelled as “education for food (EFF)”, in order to retain this group in the education system. Being an advocacy model, this may trigger a discourse on how to create a balanced society where both hunger and education are taken care of and problems are solved.

Governing changes in government: the water story of Mahabubnagar

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 542-568
Author(s):  
Harikrishnan Ramesh Varma ◽  
Ram Kumar Kakani ◽  
James Sebastian Poovathingal
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Change Management ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Central India ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Programme Implementation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government

Theoretical basis Kotter’s framework of change management adapted to the situation of public policy implementation under the leadership of a civil service officer in the rural areas of a developing economy in South Asia. Research methodology This case has been written using the primary data collected from the protagonist through personal and computer-based interviews. Some of the documents associated with the event shared by the protagonist are also reproduced as case exhibits. Secondary data from government official websites were also used to enrich the case. Case overview/synopsis Mahbubnagar, an arid agricultural district in central India faced the threat of a water crisis owing to the unscientific water extraction by the resident farmers. The government appointed a task force to investigate the problem. The team executed the idea to harvest excess water from the fields through a cheap and efficient method. Though it showed spectacular results in the initial months, the farmers gave up the innovation soon. When the team met two years later, they were shocked by the unenthusiastic response of the farmers. This case pertains to the failure of policy innovations and change management in government. Complexity academic level This case is useful for undergraduate-level courses in public management, public policy and governance with modules in change management, innovation management, rural development and programme implementation. Training modules for novice public service professionals and programme management personnel in government organisations. Elective courses on public policy, government relations and public sector management for undergraduate students of business administration.

Food security in Sudan: the case of Kassala state

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samia Satti Osman Mohamed Nour ◽  
Eltayeb Mohamedain Abdalla
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Survival Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Insecurity Access

PurposeDifferent from the previous studies in the Sudanese literature, this study aims to examine the incidence and of food security, the variation in households' food insecurity between localities and the adaptation and survival strategy in Kassala State as a case study of Eastern Sudan.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses the measurement of Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and uses new primary data from a Food Security Household Survey in Kassala State (2019) and uses the descriptive analysis to discuss the measurement of HFIAS, the incidence of food security, the variation in households' food insecurity between localities and the adaptation and survival strategy in Kassala State.FindingsThe authors find that the majority of household (77%) are food-insecure of various degrees, with 32.9% being severely food-insecure, while some households are food-secure (23%). The authors find support for their hypothesis that there will be variation in households' food insecurity between localities that most probably relate to variation in the distribution of monthly income between localities. In particular, the authors find that most households in rural areas are severely food-insecure.Originality/valueThis paper provides a significant contribution to the Sudanese and international literature because it discusses the incidence of food insecurity in Sudan. Different from the two other accompanying papers that focused on the determinants of food security in Kassala State using the measurement of HFIAS and determinants of production of food and consumption of food in Kassala State, this paper focuses on the incidence of food security in Kassala State using the measurement of HFIAS.

Scientific approach using AHP to prioritize low volume rural roads for pavement maintenance

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akhilesh Nautiyal ◽  
Sunil Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
Public Works ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Road Transportation ◽  
Rural Roads ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pavement Maintenance ◽  
Low Volume ◽  
The Government

PurposeA large number of roads have been constructed in the rural areas of India to connect habitations with the nearest major roads. With time, the pavements of these roads have deteriorated and they need some kind of maintenance, although they all do not need maintenance at the same time, as they have all not deteriorated to the same level. Hence, they have to be prioritized for maintenance.Design/methodology/approachIn order to present a scientific methodology for prioritizing pavement maintenance, the factors affecting prioritization and the relative importance of each were identified through an expert survey. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to scientifically establish weight (importance) of each factor based on its relative importance over other factors. The proposed methodology was validated through a case study of 203 low volume rural roads in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. Ranking of these roads in order of their priority for maintenance was presented as the final result.FindingsThe results show that pavement distresses, traffic volume, type of connectivity and the socioeconomic facilities located along a road are the four major factors to be considered in determining the priority of a road for maintenance.Research limitations/implicationsThe methodology provides a comprehensive, scientific and socially responsible pavement maintenance prioritization method which will automatically select roads for maintenance without any bias.Practical implicationsTimely maintenance of roads will also save budgetary expenditure of restoration/reconstruction, leading to enhancement of road service life. The government will not only save money but also provide timely benefit to the needy population.Social implicationsRoad transportation is the primary mode of inland transportation in rural areas. Timely maintenance of the pavements will be of great help to the socioeconomic development of rural areas.Originality/valueThe proposed methodology lays special emphasis on rural roads which are small in length, but large in number. Instead of random, a scientific method for selection of roads for maintenance will be of great help to the public works department for better management of rural road network.

Forty years of rural reform in China: retrospect and future prospects

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 460-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiwen Chen
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Agricultural Policies ◽  
Timely Manner ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rural Reform ◽  
Fields Of Study ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Government

Purpose Bottlenecked by rural underdevelopment, China’s overall development is bound to be inadequate and unbalanced. Through a brief retrospect of the reform directed against the “equalitarianism (egalitarianism)” in China’s rural areas, as well as the Chinese Government’s conceptual transformation and systemic construction and improvement thereof, the purpose of this paper is to clarify the panoramic significance of rural reform; the necessity, priority, and long-term nature of the current rural development; and the important role of public policy in doing so. It also looks ahead to consider the prospects for future rural reform. Design/methodology/approach This paper first reviews the rural reforms that were carried out in 1978. Second, it introduces the government’s conceptual change regarding rural reform and the establishment and improvement of the system that underlies it. Finally, the future of rural reform is envisaged. Findings The initial rural reforms brought extensive and profound changes to China’s rural areas. The experience of rural reform has been referred to and escalated by other fields of study. Hence, rural reforms have become something of global significance. Moreover, since the government can undertake reforms well beyond the reach of farmers, its views must be modified in a timely manner, and only then may it reasonably construct and improve the system pertaining to the “three rural issues (agriculture, rural areas, and farmers).” Originality/value This paper reviews the rural reforms carried out in 1978. It introduces the government’s change of concept with respect to rural reforms and the establishment and improvement of the system based on the “three rural issues,” thus looking forward to the future of rural reforms. The findings of this paper are of significance to the formulation of future agricultural policies.

scholarly journals Economic Feasibility of Solar Irrigation Pumps: A Study of Northern Bangladesh

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Md. Tawhidul Islam ◽  
Md. Elias Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Service Model ◽  
The Government

Bangladesh is the most densely populated country in the world. With a total population of around 165 million, the country has constantly been facing food security challenges and other problems. Therefore, increasing food production is one of the feasible solutions to this challenge, and proper agricultural land use for food production bears critical importance. Adopting sustainable irrigation systems and viable technologies would be vital for ensuring efficient use of agricultural land in Bangladesh to safeguard the country's food security. Solar irrigation pumps (SIPs) can be a reliable option in this regard. However, Bangladesh has experienced a prolonged growth rate of SIP installation in the last decade.  The countryhas set a target to install 10000 SIPs by the year 2027, albeit it is a tiny share of the 1.57 million conventional irrigation pumps operating in the country. This study aims to investigate the economic feasibility of the SIPs operating in the northern region of Bangladesh in terms of estimating financial feasibility and environmental benefits. The study is mainly based on primary data collected from the users of SIPs from two Upazilas of Dinajpur and Rangpur districts. A total of 14 SIPs, categorized into large, medium, and small pumps, are selected randomly from the available SIPs in the study areas. The financial analysis reveals that small SIPs are the most profitable option (20% IRR) for investment. Large SIPs are moderately profitable (10% IRR), and their profitability can be improved (10.50% IRR) by introducing additional uses of solar energy. However, medium SIPs are the worst (5% IRR) option for investment. In the study areas, large and medium SIPs are designed for the 'fees for service model', and small SIPs are designed for the 'fees for ownership model'. It is found that the 'fees for ownership model' is more profitable than the 'fees for service model'. Moreover, the net environmental benefit for all SIPs is found almost equal to the given subsidy for installing them. Also, the net environmental benefit per kilowatt peak (kWp) is highest for the small SIPs. This paper recommends that additional use (e.g., husking, grinding, supply excess electricity to grid, and so on) of solar energy can improve the profitability of investmenton SIPs. Further, the government should continue giving grants for installing SIPs and promote 'fees for ownership model' (small SIPs) for personal use. It would speed up the dissemination rate of SIPs and help increase the country's agricultural production and improve the environmental conditions.

scholarly journals Savings Behavior of Government Salaried People in Unakoti District of Tripura

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-37
Author(s):  
Sukharanjan Debnath
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Dependency Ratio ◽  
Government Employees ◽  
Savings Behavior ◽  
Daily Rate ◽  
Savings Rate ◽  
The Government

As per rules, the Savings practice of Government salaried people is mandatory up to a stipulated amount of monthly salary. According to GPF, EPF and NPS Rules, a predetermined amount is deducted by the employer at source for the future wellbeing of the concerned employee and invest to GPF, EPF, NPS, etc. In addition to these mandatory savings, employees can save their money to other savings instruments according to their capability and other conditions. As most of the government employees in Unakoti district of Tripura are working with small designations and salaries, they are not able to save more in addition to mandatory savings. Fixed Pay Employee (FPE), Contract Base Worker (CBW), Per Time Worker (PTW), Monthly Pay Worker (MPW), Daily Rate Worker (DRW) are the working conditions where employees get less amount of salary in comparison to regular employees. Under these conditions, their savings rate is also low in comparison to other employees. Other Sources of income, spouse job, dependency ratio, age, literacy level, educational qualification and availability of savings instruments nearby employees are an important aspect for better understanding of savings improvement in the District. The present study entitled “Savings behavior of Government Salaried People in Unakoti District of Tripura” is an empirical study based on primary data and secondary data. The study reveals that the savings rate of salaried people in Unakoti District of Tripura is growing slowly. Financial literacy, reduction of dependency ratio by employment generation programs, Massive awareness program and availability of savings instruments in the rural areas may make a vigorous savings environment in Unakoti District of Tripura.

scholarly journals Modeling crowdfunders’ behavioral intention to adopt the crowdfunding-waqf model (CWM) in Malaysia

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Asmy Mohd Thas Thaker ◽  
Hassanudin Mohd Thas Thaker ◽  
Anwar Allah Pitchay
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Behavioral Intention ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Liquidity Constraint ◽  
Muslim Countries ◽  
The Government

PurposeWaqf institutions in many Muslim countries including in Malaysia are facing liquidity constraints in developing waqf land. This paper aims to offer a sustainable model of source of financing for waqf institutions to meet their liquidity constraint in developing waqf land, which is known as the crowdfunding–waqf model (CWM). Later, CWM validated its acceptance in the field among the crowdfunders by adopting the theory of technology acceptance model (TAM).Design/methodology/approachThe primary data are collected from the survey administered to donors or crowdfunders in Selangor, Penang, Johor and Pahang. The total number of respondents aren= 1,000. The analysis is conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsBased on findings, both the perceived usefulness and perceived easy to use of CWM are found to have a positive impact on the behavioral intention of crowdfunders or donors in assisting waqf institutions to develop waqf land in Malaysia. Furthermore, perceived easy to use has a positive relationship and direct effect on perceived usefulness of crowdfunders to use the CWM.Research limitations/implicationsThere are some limitations of the current study. The sample size and area of study become the obvious limitations. Thus, there is a need for caution in the interpretation of the results, and the conclusion cannot be as generalized. Besides, the use of current factors might limit the ability to explore other potentially important determinants of the crowdfunders’ behavioral intention on using CWM. Thus, future research can be conducted by incorporating new factors and provide new insights for optimizing CWM. Other potential moderator variables should be included into the research model in order to obtain more robust results.Practical implicationsThe findings of this paper will provide a new avenue for waqf institutions to raise funds for developing waqf land, particularly in Malaysia. The present study also has implications for the government and policymakers. Through CWM, it enables to reduce the expenses of the government for the development of waqf land. Indeed, CWM could be applied in other Muslim countries that are facing liquidity constraint in developing waqf land.Originality/valueThis paper offers an additional literature on waqf and crowdfunding, especially in the Malaysian context. The paper proposes a viable alternative model for waqf institutions as a source of financing by using crowdfunding.

Factors influencing investor behavior: an empirical study of Saudi Stock Market

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Junaid Khawaja ◽  
Zainab Nasser Alharbi
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Stock Market ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Investor Behavior ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Past Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
The Government

PurposeThe objective of the study is to determine the factors influencing the behavior of investor in Saudi Stock Market.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses correlation analysis, factor analysis, reliability and multiple regression analysis on the primary data collected from 125 investors in Saudi Stock Market through a questionnaire distributed randomly.FindingsThe results indicate that the factors like past performance of the stocks, financial statements, firm status in industry, the reputation of the firm, and expected corporate earnings have significant influence on the behavior of investors. The factor of the image that a certain company has built for itself over the years on the basis of its financial practices is a large influencer of investor decisions as compared to advocate recommendation factors. The investment behavior is not significantly influenced by gender or age; however, it is significantly influenced by educational qualification, professional experience and investment volume.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper limits itself to study the factors that influence the behavior of investors. However, it does not address the issue of investor overconfidence and its implications for Saudi Stock Market.Practical implicationsThis research provides a road map for the investors interested in making their investment decisions by understanding the most influencing factors.Social implicationsThis research has social implications for government agencies to delineate the required legislation to regulate the investors and also to increase market efficiency. The results show that investors are strongly affected by signals from the government.Originality/valueThis research is an original contribution toward the behavioral finance field in Saudi Arabia and can be used as a reference material for investors, companies and government policymakers in Saudi Arabia. This study incorporates investors' individual characteristics and explores factors that influence investor behavior unlike some previous studies using Saudi data.

STAKEHOLDER ASPECTS INFLUENCING IMPLEMENTATION OF FOOD SECURITY PROJECTS IN MSAMBWENI DISTRICT, KENYA

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-107
Author(s):  
Patrick Orengo Omari
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Land Ownership ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Project Implementation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Government

Purpose: To determine the stakeholder aspects influencing implementation of food security projects in Msambweni District, KenyaMethodology: The study adopted a cross sectional descriptive case study. The population to be comprised the residents of Msambweni district who practice farming activities. Sampling of farmers was done at random from the existing divisions and locations of Msambweni district. The primary data was gathered using questionnaires that were semi-structured. Descriptive analysis was used and this included the use of weighted means, standard deviation, relative frequencies and percentages. The results of the analysis were presented using tables, percentages and bar-charts.Results: Results indicated that land ownership was a key determinant in influencing food projects implementation. The findings indicated that land ownership made the implementation of food security projects easy and faster. There was a positive and significant relationship between food security project implementation and land ownership. The findings also indicated that there are taboos in their community which discourage some types of farming methods and some food crops and if people in Msambweni were to disregard cultural beliefs farm productivity and food sufficiency would change positively. The findings were also supported by a negative correlation and the relationship between food project and cultural practices was found not to be statistically significant. Results indicated that farming methods and inputs were key determinants of food security project implementation. The findings indicated that farming methods influenced the implementation of food projects at Msambweni district.  The correlation between farming methods and food security project implementation was found to be strong and positive. Results indicated that education was a key factor that influences food security project implementation. However the findings also indicated that education level of the respondents did not matter so much as long as they apply the correct farming methods and attend farming seminars and workshops. There results also showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between education level and food security project implementation.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Based on the results, it is recommended to the farmers to ensure that they retain their own lands and avoid selling and put the land into good use by practicing farming. It is recommended to the farmers that they review the existing taboos and beliefs and disregard them as this can lead to improved food security due to embracement of the government food security project implementation. It is also recommended that the farmers should have an open mind in fighting hunger as this will ensure that all people work to the betterment of improving food security issues regardless of the religion and culture. It is further recommended to the farmers to evaluate the advantages of mechanized farming methods and traditional farming practices and embrace the better option. The study also recommends that the farmers should attend the farmer’s workshops and seminars organized by the government to exchange ideas and learn also new tactics of farming activities. The study recommends that the farmers to organize themselves in groups to invite the agricultural officers so that they can be trained on various farming methods and on how to improve their productivity. It is also recommended that the government should look for ways of communication modern methods of farming using locally understood languages to ensure that the whole country embraces changes at the same pace.

Evaluation of access to electricity and the socioeconomic effects in rural and urban expanses of Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Toluwalope Ogunro ◽  
Luqman Afolabi
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
National Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Rural And Urban Areas ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
The Government ◽  
Electricity Access

PurposeRecently, multidimensional aspects of poverty has been increasingly focused on which includes education, economy and health, while access to modern energy such as stable electricity is also one of the possible solution; thus, this article aims to divulge the relation between access to electricity and progression in socioeconomic status in urban and rural areas of Nigeria in an attempt to propose a sustainable framework for access to electricity.Design/methodology/approachDemographic and health survey data are collected using four categories of model of questionnaires. A standard questionnaire was designed to gather information on features of the household's dwelling element and attributes of visitors and usual residents between the 2018 period. Biomarker questionnaire was used to gather biomarker data on men, women and children. Logistic model estimation technique was employed to estimate the socioeconomic factors affecting access to electricity in Nigeria.FindingsThese studies discovered that there are diverse set of factors affecting access to electricity in Nigeria especially in the rural areas. However, respondent residing in rural areas are still largely deprived access to electricity; most importantly, households with no access to electricity are more likely to use self-generating sets as revealed. Additionally, empirical findings indicated that the higher the level of your education and wealth, the higher the likelihood of having access to electricity in Nigeria. These factors included political will to connect the rural areas to the national grid, development of other infrastructures in those deprived areas and others.Practical implicationsThe problem confronting access to electricity in Nigeria has three components. The first is the significance of those deprived access to electricity in the rural areas and the physical resources needed to connect them to the national grid. The second is the political willingness of the government to have equitable distribution of public goods evenly between rural and urban areas especially on electricity access which will go a long way in reducing poverty in Nigeria. The third is lack of robust national development plans and strategy to tackle the problems facing electricity access in Nigeria.Social implicationsAs the rate of socioeconomic status/development increases, access to electricity is anticipated to rise up in Nigeria.Originality/valueThe findings can be used by the policy makers to address problems facing access to electricity in Nigeria.

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