POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGIES: EVIDENCE FROM U-MICROFINANCE BANK

Purpose: This Study intends the assessment of microloan by U Microfinance Bank from females of upper Sindh. The core objective was to assess the impact of U-Microfinance on the poverty level of female for improving their living standards by providing them micro-loans to be used for their small-scale business which could enable them to be empowered politically, socially, economically, and assessing its impacts on the health and education of their families. Methodology: This study was conducted on the assessment of microloan interventions of U Microfinance Bank in the rural areas of upper Sindh. A quantitative approach was used to measure the impact of microloan on the poverty status of the female along with a qualitative study to further confirm the findings. In this study, a quasi-experimental design was used in which two groups of data from the same respondents assuming the data ‘Before-loan and After-Loan Situation’ from the female borrowers of Khairpur, Sukkur, Shikarpur, Larkana, and Dadu Districts of Upper Sindh. Poverty Score Card was used as a survey instrument originally developed by the World Bank for each region separately. The collected data were analyzed by applying the descriptive statistics and logistic regression technique by using SPSS latest version. Results: Results of the logistic regression analysis demonstrate that the microloan program does empower females of targeted cities, but the empowerment process does not necessarily occur simultaneously across all dimensions. Whereas microfinance does effect individually on each dimension of empowerment. For microfinance ventures, the results suggest that occupation types have a positive impact on women's empowerment. Applications of this study: This study can be very effective in improving the strategies for poverty reduction among the female borrowers of the upper Sindh. The Novelty of the study: The novelty of this study investigating the effect of poverty reduction strategies on female empowerment.

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Evaluation of the Effect of Farmer Input Support Program (FISP) on Small-Scale Farmers in the Kara Region of Togo

Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.5539/jas.v11n4p35 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 35

Author(s):

John-Philippe Essiagnon Alavo ◽

Emefa Adzowa-Sika Cogbe ◽

Xiangmei Li ◽

Gershom Mwalupaso Endelani ◽

Ekram Abdalgadir Eltom ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Poverty Reduction ◽

Poverty Line ◽

Support Program ◽

Small Scale ◽

Maize Production ◽

Reduction Strategies ◽

The Government ◽

Cropping Seasons ◽

Small Scale Farmers ◽

The Impact

The government of Togo reintroduced Farmer Input Support Program (FISP) as one of its Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRS) in 2002. Since the introduction of the program, the studies that evaluate its effects on income have focused either on fertilizer or seed component, but not on both, which made it a challenge to find out what improvements in small-scale farmers’ productivity can be attributed to FISP as a whole. Using Propensity Score Matching technique with collected data from 150 randomly surveyed households in the Kara region of Togo, the authors of the study estimated the impact of FISP on beneficiary households’ output from maize production. The results show that FISP augmented household annual maize income by 30.8% and total household income by 13.9% for both 2016/17 and 2017/18 cropping seasons. However, even though FISP is achieving its objective of improving small-scale farmers’ income, this increment is still not large enough to take households above the poverty line, and the effects of FISP to reduce overall poverty is also limited.

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Evaluating the Impacts of Smallholder Farmer’s Participation in Modern Agricultural Value Chain Tactics for Facilitating Poverty Alleviation—A Case Study of Kiwifruit Industry in Shaanxi, China

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11050462 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 462

Author(s):

Hongyu Wang ◽

Xiaolei Wang ◽

Apurbo Sarkar ◽

Lu Qian

Keyword(s):

Value Chain ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Poverty Alleviation ◽

Poverty Reduction ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Multidimensional Poverty ◽

Well Being ◽

Reduction Degree ◽

Poverty Level ◽

Storage Technology

Market-based initiatives like agriculture value chain (AVC) are becoming progressively pervasive to support smallholder rural farmers and assist them in entering larger market interventions and providing a pathway of enhancing their socioeconomic well-being. Moreover, it may also foster staggering effects towards the post-era poverty alleviation in rural areas and possessed a significant theoretical and practical influence for modern agricultural development. The prime objective of the study is to explore the effects of smallholder farmers’ participation in the agricultural value chain for availing rural development and poverty alleviation. Specifically, we have crafted the assessment employing pre-production (improved fertilizers usage), in-production (modern preservation technology), and post-production (supply chain) participation and interventions of smallholder farmers. The empirical data has been collected from a micro survey dataset of 623 kiwifruit farmers from July to September in Shaanxi, China. We have employed propensity score matching (PSM), probit, and OLS models to explore the multidimensional poverty reduction impact and heterogeneity of farmers’ participation in the agricultural value chain. The results show that the total number of poor farmers who have experienced one-dimensional and two-dimensional poverty is relatively high (66.3%). We also find that farmers’ participation in agricultural value chain activities has a significant poverty reduction effect. The multidimensional poverty level of farmers using improved fertilizer, organizational acquisition, and using storage technology (compared with non-participating farmers) decreased by 30.1%, 46.5%, and 25.0%, respectively. The multidimensional poverty reduction degree of male farmers using improved fertilizer and participating in the organizational acquisition is greater than that of women. The multidimensional poverty reduction degree of female farmers using storage and fresh-keeping technology has a greater impact than the males using storage and improved storage technology. Government should widely promote the value chain in the form of pre-harvest, production, and post-harvest technology. The public–private partnership should also be strengthened for availing innovative technologies and infrastructure development.

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Impact of a Series of Educational Talks Taught by Health Professionals to Promote Healthy Snack Choices among Children

Children ◽

10.3390/children8030203 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 203

Author(s):

Víctor Arufe Giráldez ◽

Javier Puñal Abelenda ◽

Rubén Navarro-Patón ◽

Alberto Sanmiguel-Rodríguez

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Quality ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Total Sample ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Healthy Habits ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

Nutrition And Dietetics ◽

Future Work ◽

The Impact

Background: One of the great challenges facing today’s society is the need to combat overweight and obesity in schoolchildren. This study aimed to analyze the impact of a cycle of didactic talks—given to families by a specialist in pediatrics, a specialist in nutrition and dietetics and a specialist in physical exercise—on childrens’ snack choices and nutrition quality. Methods: A longitudinal, quasi-experimental and quantitative investigation was designed, working with a total sample of 50 students divided into control and experimental groups. The nutritional quality of daily snacks was recorded during the month before and the month after the cycle of talks given by health experts. Results: An increase in the nutritional quality of the snacks was observed in the days after the talk—but, after a week, values returned to normal. Conclusions: The giving of educational talks to promote healthy habits may have a positive impact on the nutritional quality of school snacks in the days immediately following the talks. However, some forgetfulness was detected over time, which reduced the nutritional quality of the snacks once more. For future work, it is recommended that researchers measure the impact produced by giving regular talks.

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Methods to Reduce Traffic Speed in High-Pedestrian Rural Areas

Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board ◽

10.3141/1828-04 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 1828 (1) ◽

pp. 31-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ali Kamyab ◽

Steve Andrle ◽

Dennis Kroeger ◽

David S. Heyer

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Speed Limit ◽

Single Word ◽

Short Term ◽

Speed Reduction ◽

Traffic Calming ◽

Reduction Strategies ◽

Long Term Impact ◽

The Impact

Many Minnesota counties are faced with the problem of high vehicle speeds through towns or resort areas that have significant pedestrian traffic. The impact of speed reduction strategies in high-pedestrian areas in rural counties of Minnesota was investigated. Speed data were collected at two selected study sites under their existing conditions ("no-treatment" or "before" condition) and after the proposed speed reduction strategies were installed. Second "after" data conditions were collected to study the short-term and long-term impact of the implemented strategies. The traffic-calming techniques employed at the Twin Lakes site consisted of removable pedestrian islands and pedestrian crossing signs. A dynamic variable message sign that sent a single-word message ("Slow") to motorists traveling over the speed limit was installed at the Bemidji site. The research study shows that the traffic-calming strategy deployed in Twin Lakes was effective in significantly reducing the mean speed and improving speed limit compliance in both the short term and long term. Despite proven effectiveness, the deployed speed reduction treatment in Bemidji Lake failed to lower the speed at the study site. The single-word message on the sign and the location of the sign, as well as a lack of initial enforcement, were the primary reasons for such failure.

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FAKTOR PENANGULANGAN TERJADINYA WASTE PADA PROYEK KONSTRUKSI DI SURABAYA

EXTRAPOLASI ◽

10.30996/exp.v17i2.4427 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Michella Beatrix ◽

Nurul Rochmah ◽

Gede Sarya ◽

Pebru Dwijayanto

Keyword(s):

Waste Management ◽

Construction Projects ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Scale Construction ◽

Small Scale ◽

Construction Costs ◽

Warehouse Storage ◽

The Right ◽

The Impact ◽

Material Requirements

AbstractLarge and small scale construction projects have waste that cannot be predicted in advance, even the amount cannot be predicted directly, whether it is in large or small amounts. The existence of waste can have a significant impact that can affect construction costs. Waste can have both negative and positive impacts. Good waste management will have a positive impact on the company in terms of cost, even time, and quality, but if the waste that occurs cannot be handled or managed properly it will harm the company in terms of cost, time, and even in terms of quality. In this case, the party that always gets the impact of the waste is the contractor.This study focuses on mitigating the occurrence of waste that is how to minimize it. Thisstudy uses the distribution of questionnaires to the contractor in Surabaya. The results of this study are 5 item indicators on how to minimize the highest ranking. The 5 items are Updating material requirements, Mixing, transporting, and placing concrete at the right time, Increasing the competence and expertise of labor, Provision of good and adequate material/warehouse storage facilities, and accurate material measurement. Abstrak Proyek konstruksi dalam skala besar maupun kecil, memiliki waste yang tidak dapat diprediksi sebelumnya, bahkan jumlahnya pun tidak dapat diprediksi secara langsung, apakah itu dalam jumlah besar ataupun jumlah yang kecil. Adanya waste dapat memberikan dampak yang signifikan yang dapat mempengaruhi biaya konstruksi. Pada dasarnya waste dapat memberikan dampak negatif maupun positif. Pengelolaan waste yang baik akan memberikan dampak positif bagi perusahaan dalam segi biaya, bahkan waktu dan mutu, namun apabila waste yang terjadi tidak dapat diatasi atau dikelola dengan baik maka akan memberikan dampak negatif bagi perusahaan dalam segi biaya, waktu bahkan dalam hal mutu. Dalam hal ini pihak yang selalu mendapatkan dampak dari adanya waste adalah pihak kontraktorPenelitian ini memfokuskan pada faktor penanggulangan terjadinya waste yaitu cara meminimalisirnya. Penelitian ini menggunakan penyebaran kuisioner kepada pihak kontraktor di Surabaya. Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah 5 item indicator cara meminimalisir yang memiliki ranking tertinggi. 5 item tersebut adalah Updating kebutuhan material, Mencampur, mengangkut dan menempatkan beton pada waktu yang tepat, Meningkatkan kompetensi dan keahlian tenaga kerja, Penyediaan fasilitas penyimpanan material/gudang yang baik dan memadai, dan Pengukuran bahan yang akurat.

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Is it Worth Flipping? The Impact of Flipped Classroom on EFL Students’ Grammar

English Language Teaching ◽

10.5539/elt.v13n6p144 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 144 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ishaq Salim Al-Naabi

Keyword(s):

Flipped Classroom ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Future Research ◽

Flipped Learning ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Intact Group ◽

English Grammar ◽

Post Test ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

The Impact

In light of contemporary pedagogical methods, the flipped classroom has been recognised as an effective pedagogy in English as a Foreign Language (EFL). This study employed a quasi-experimental one-group research design to investigate the impact of flipped learning on Omani EFL learners’ grammar and to examine students’ perceptions on the flipped classroom. An intact group of students (n=28) enrolled at the foundation programme in Arab Open University-Oman was randomly selected. Seven videos on English grammar were developed and shared with the students prior to the class. A varaiety of activities were conducted in the class following task-based language teaching. Students met for 8 lessons over the period of 8 weeks. Pre-test, post-test and semi-structured interviews were used in the study. The findings indicated that flipped learning had a positive impact on students’ understanding and usage of English grammar. Students’ perceptions on the flipped approach were positive. The study also provided pedagogical insights for the flipped classroom and recommendations for future research. 

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Rural Economic Development Through Women Entrepreneurship

International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Communication and Technology ◽

10.48175/ijarsct-2090 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 98-103

Author(s):

Dr. M. Vairavan ◽

Ms. K. Kavitha

Keyword(s):

Economic Development ◽

Rural Women ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Women Entrepreneurs ◽

Economic Status ◽

Active Role ◽

Small Scale ◽

Interesting Phenomenon ◽

Self Help Groups ◽

The Impact

Majority of the rural women of SHGs are Micro - Entrepreneurs very few are associated with Small Scale Enterprises. Those women are not only developing with sustainable economy but also able to develop other women economically sustainable by providing job opportunities. The rural women entrepreneurs with the sustainable economic development are able to contribute to the family’s, community’s and the nation’s development. Rural women frequently have primary responsibility for agricultural production, in addition to domestic responsibilities and childcare. In developing country like India where economic status of women is very pathetic especially in rural areas and opportunities of earning are very less in this scenario the Self Help Groups (SHGs) have paved the way for economic independence of rural women. This paper reviews concisely the literature in this field and addresses in particular opportunities and challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in rural areas. It examined the impact on women empowerment through micro entrepreneurship development and SHGs. The increasing presence of women in the business field as entrepreneurs has changed the demographic characteristics of business and economic growth of the country. Women-owned businesses enterprises are playing a more active role in society and the economy, inspiring academics to focus on this interesting phenomenon. This paper focuses on the problems, issues, challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, how to overcome them and to analyze policies of India government for and problems faced by them while pursuing their business.

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Women's Empowerment in the Philippines: Impact evaluation of the ‘BASIC START’ project

10.21201/2020.6935 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jaynie Vonk

Keyword(s):

Impact Evaluation ◽

Experimental Approach ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Women's Empowerment ◽

The Philippines ◽

Women’S Empowerment ◽

Autonomous Region ◽

Full Report ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

The Impact

This evaluation is presented as part of the Effectiveness Review Series 2018/19 on women’s empowerment. The BASIC START (Building Autonomous and Stable Institutions and Communities through Socially Cohesive, Transparent, Accountable and Responsive Transition) in the Bangsamoro' project was carried out in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in the Philippines between April 2015 and August 2017, by Oxfam together with four implementing partners: Al Mujadilah Development Foundation (AMDF), United Youth of the Philippines Women (UnYPhil-Women), Tarbilang Foundation, and Women Engaged in Action on 1325 (WE Act 1325). The project aimed to promote women's empowerment and peacebuilding in the region. A quasi-experimental approach was used to assess the impact of the project activities in strengthening women’s empowerment. The evaluation used Oxfam's Women's Empowerment (WE) index. Overall, the evaluation found that the BASIC START project had a positive impact on Women's Empowerment in all three levels investigated – personal, relational and environmental. Find out more by reading the evaluation brief or the full report.

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Evaluating the Group Lending Development at the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development: A Case Study in Bac Giang Branch II

Vietnam Journal of Agricultural Sciences ◽

10.31817/vjas.2020.3.3.02 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 679-688

Author(s):

Do Quang Giam ◽

Dao Thi Hoang Anh ◽

Vu Ngoc Huyen ◽

Lai Phuong Thao ◽

Dao Huu Bao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Development ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Poverty Reduction ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Primary Data ◽

Small Scale ◽

Political Organizations ◽

Group Lending ◽

The Status ◽

Lending Activity

Group-based lending is a form of loan provision for individuals and households in rural areas for production and consumption purposes. Proceeding from the imbalance between demand and supply on small-scale capital, and also Government policies on sustainable poverty reduction, the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank) has coordinated with its local authorities and socio-political organizations to provide loan services via group lending. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the status of group lending development of the Agribank-Bac Giang Branch II. The paper used secondary data collected from the branch and primary data gathered from 50 representative customers and 10 credit officers related the group lending of the branch. Data analysis methods consisted of descriptive statistics and comparative analysis, incorporated with the measurements for bank performance and quality. The findings show positive prospects in both the bank and customers for the development of group lending activity and obstacles in the group lending development of the branch. The paper also proposes some solutions for the branch to tackle difficulties and promote the development of group lending in the branch in Bac Giang province.

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Does Agricultural Performance Contribute to Rural Poverty Reduction in Indonesia?

JEJAK ◽

10.15294/jejak.v13i1.20178 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 69-83

Author(s):

Muhammad Amir Arham ◽

Ahmad Fadhli ◽

Sri Indriyani Dai

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Income Distribution ◽

Government Policy ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Poverty Reduction ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Rural Poverty ◽

Poor People ◽

Poverty Level ◽

Agricultural Performance

Agriculture is the primary sector in many provinces in Indonesia. In fact, most of the rural communities work in the agricultural sector. Nevertheless, the poverty level in rural areas remains high. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the performance of the agricultural sector in reducing the rural poverty level in Indonesia, and to investigate factors that contribute as a determinant in reducing rural poverty level in Indonesia. This study was significant, considering that the result was to contribute to government policy evaluation in the agricultural sector, especially in reducing poverty in rural areas. This study used quantitative analysis through multiple regressions with data panel from 2014 to 2017 from 33 provinces in Indonesia. This study revealed that the increase of agricultural sector share and the widening of the income distribution had caused an increase in poor people in a rural area. This finding also revealed that the income distribution gap was a determinant to the severity of rural poverty. The growth in the agricultural sector to contribute toward the economy could reduce rural poverty level in Indonesia. Meanwhile, agricultural financing, economic growth, inflation, and the farmer exchange rate had not significantly contributed to reducing the poverty level.

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