Role of Economy as Social Institution in Cholistan Desert

Cholistan is the second largest desert of Pakistan with semi-nomadic culture. Based on its landscape, Cholistan is divided into two parts, i.e., Greater and Lesser Cholistan. This study review highlights the economic activities of native people of Cholistan, challenges faced by people and ways to improve the economic standard of native people. Due to its rough terrain, Cholistan is hardly accessible from outside except specialized vehicles. The entire Cholistan is the least populated area and the existing population is scattered among sand dunes. Cholistan is deprived of socio-economic development and hence there is a lack of basic amenities of life such as drinking water, food, education, healthcare and housing. Due to the scarcity of irrigation water and the landscape of Cholistan, there is hardly any possibility of agri-farming and production grains for livelihood. Animal herds are a major source of livelihood and sustenance for the people of Cholistan. Local people own larger herds of cows, camels, goats and sheep, which are vital for survival, i.e., food sources and money for purchasing necessities. Cholistani people do not possess formal education and skills and are unable to avail any job opportunity in the formal sector. As a result, Cholistani people are choiceless except to depend upon animal husbandry. All the family members, including women, participate in animal husbandry and other small scale agri-farming for earning a livelihood. Life is simple, and daily needs of local people are very limited, and economic activities are few in Cholistan. Social institution is playing their role to educate the people and fulfilling the economic needs of the Cholistani people.

The Nexus among Competition, Risk and Performance in Banking Sector of Saudi Arabia

The determination behind this research paper is to inspect the relation among competition, risk, and financial performance in the Saudi Arabian banking sector for 2011-2019. This paper used Two steps Generalized Method of Moment (GMM) as an estimation technique. This study focused on Lerner Index and Herfindahl-Hirschman Index to gauge bank competition and used three alternative measures for risk, namely credit risk, liquidity risk, and z-score. The coefficients of the Lerner Index and Herfindahl-Hirschman Index are significant and positive with profitability which signifies that higher competition in Saudi Arabian banks led to a decrease in profitability which is explained in the Structural Conduct Performance Hypothesis. Z-score shows a significant positive relationship with profitability. Credit risk has a positive relationship with profitability reveals that risk-adjusted returns are being targeted by risk-averse shareholders trying to gain more profits to compensate for the higher credit risk. The outcome of the study provides a comprehensive framework to the Central bank and other regulatory authorities to introduce micro and macro prudential policies that are aligned to the stability of the financial system.

COVID-19 in Pakistan: How to Spark the Economic Recovery-Analysis from Previous Natural Disasters

COVID-19 is reshaping the future of the globe by having an unprecedented impact on people's social, political, and economic lives. This pandemic is being characterized by health crisis as well as economic crisis. Pertaining to the negative demand & supply shocks and the decrease in revenues, profits, and investment due to COVID-19, many business and economic institutions are paying heed to subdue the post-pandemic economic recession. The COVID-19 pandemic crisis also hit the economy of Pakistan rigorously. Due to persistent lockdown and de-escalated economic activities, the country faced a sharp decline in tax revenues, investment, and business growth. Pakistan has faced several economic downturns due to natural disasters: particularly the flood in 2010 and the earthquake in 2005, as they caused the loss of numerous lives, infrastructure, businesses, and irrigation land. The present study reviews the response and effectiveness of government and different institutions in previous natural disasters. This analysis provides policy recommendations to deal with the current crisis. The study concludes that Pakistan failed to get the full output of its recovery plans due to lack of preparedness & coordination, lack of understanding, insufficient knowledge & planning, the ineffective role of central management, and other institutional or management issues. It further recommends that Pakistan should act more effectively against natural disasters and restore its previous economic pace by eliminating the gaps in its economic and disaster management policies.

Economics and Marketing of Olive in Punjab, Pakistan

The recent re-emergence of agrarian crises in Punjab has again drawn the attention of policymakers towards the viability of alternative crops. In this context, the study attempts production and marketing of one of the alternatives and viable crops (i.e., Olive) considered for the farmers in Punjab, Pakistan. The study was carried out in the Pothwar region of Punjab, and a total of 100 farmers were interviewed from four districts of Pothwar. The study results revealed that olive is a profitable crop since the benefit-cost ratio, net present value, and internal rate of return at a 10% rate of discount were 2.20, Rs. 263,338.00, and 31%, respectively. The findings also revealed that the channel with the least number of intermediaries was more efficient than the channels with more intermediaries. The study suggested that to take advantage of this new crop, controlled marketplaces with improved marketing facilities are needed to allow farmers to minimize their transport costs and achieve better prices for their products. Besides, linking fresh produce with agro-processing industries can go a long way in ensuring the returns from this crop.

Factors Affecting Labor Productivity: An Empirical Evidence from Pakistan

Labor productivity is important as it is the major factor determining nations' living standards. This study analyzes the factors affecting labor productivity in Pakistan using time series data. ARDL model is applied for estimation of the long run relationship of variables for the period 1981-2018. Data have been taken from the Handbook of Statistics of State Bank of Pakistan and various economic surveys of Pakistan. The findings show that wages, human capital investment, labor force participation, and inflation significantly affect labor productivity. The results indicate that wage rate has a positive effect on labor productivity, and human capital investment also is positively related to labor productivity. At the same time, labor force participation and inflation are negatively related to labor productivity. These findings imply that labor productivity can be raised by increasing the wage rate and investing more in human capital. Results are consistent with efficiency wage theory and human capital theory.

Outdoor Recreation and Rural Transitions in Central Appalachia: Revisiting the Economic Impact of Rock Climbing in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge

Kentucky’s Red River Gorge is a popular rock climbing destination located amid longstanding poverty in America’s Central Appalachian region. Climbing represents an important part of the outdoor recreation economy and may provide one alternative to mono-economic extractive industry dependency in this region. This study examines the economic impact of climbing in the Red utilizing an online survey of rock climbers and economic impact methodology. The survey examines expenditures in lodging, food purchases, travel, retail purchases, and services. The survey also collected visitation and demographics data. The authors estimate climbers spend $8.7 million annually (up from $3.8 million in 2015) and support over 100 jobs in some of the poorest counties in the region and nation. The study reiterates previous findings indicating climbers are well-educated with incomes higher than those typically found in this region. The study’s results help reframe the value of climbing’s economic impact in rural transitional economies throughout Central Appalachia. These findings also raise policy implications regarding public land access and reducing climber environmental impacts on public lands.

Can Blockchain Technology Improve Accountability and Transparency of Cash Waqf in Indonesia?

One of the problems that occur in the development of cash waqf in Indonesia is the managerial system and financial reporting. Currently, the safety of waqf data is not guaranteed and is not integrated yet between Islamic Financial Institution – Cash Waqf Recipient/LKS-PWU (Lembaga Keuangan Syari’ah – Penerima Wakaf Uang), Nazir, and BWI (Badan Wakaf Indonesia). The blockchain system comes with changing a centralized approach to being decentralized. The use of the blockchain system in managing waqf funds can be a solution to the problem of waqf that occurs. Therefore, this study aims to examine the implementation of blockchain technology in increasing the accountability and transparency of cash waqf in Indonesia. This study adopts an interview technique with seven practitioners and academics in collecting data and using thematic analysis in the analysis. The research finds that the level of accountability in the waqf management by the LKS-PWU of the Islamic bank is quite acceptable, as evidenced by the fulfillment of five accountability indicators by the LKS-PWU. However, it must be improved in several aspects such as data security, data integration, and real-time reporting. Strategies for increasing accountability include the blockchain implementation in the waqf management both in collecting and distributing waqf by LKS-PWU. The opportunity to apply blockchain to waqf management is very potential because the blockchain system has several advantages such as speed, transparency, and a higher level of security than the conventional system.

Impact of Population Age Structure on Food Consumption Structure of Residents in Beijing

Based on the Beijing panel data from 1990 to 2019, this paper expands the traditional Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) model by introducing the nutritional needs indicators by age structure and quantitatively analyzes the structure and characteristics of household food consumption in Beijing. The study estimates and compares the income elasticity, price elasticity, nutritional demand elasticity of food consumption structure, and the per capita food consumption in Beijing is predicted. The results show that commodity prices and income are still the key factors affecting consumer demand. The change in the population's age structure also has a corresponding impact on the consumption structure. The consumption structure of Beijing is in the stage of optimization, and relevant departments should formulate relevant policies to increase farmers' income and stabilize prices.

Investigating Relationship of Food Security with Market Approachability with respect to Household Food Insecurity Access Index

Globally rural households with less landholding, especially from developing countries, are more food insecure due to a lack of resources accessibility and fewer marketplaces. This study was planned to inspect the relationship between household food security and market approachability concerning Household Food Insecurity Access Index (HFIAS). For data collection, 200 farming households from five districts (Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Rawalpindi, Rahim Yar Khan and Mianwali) from five agro-ecological zones of Punjab were selected as respondents. So, the results can be comprehensive and widespread at the provincial level. Interviews with household heads were conducted with the help of a well-structured and pre-tested interview questionnaire. Food security was calculated with the help of the household food insecurity access score, which calculates food intake for one month and indicates the level of food security based on food consumption during the last thirty days. According to research findings of 46 percent are severely food insecure, and the main reason behind so much food insecurity is rising food prices, increasing fuel prices, transportation costs, lack of agricultural input, and very few marketplaces. Binary logistic regression shows that landholding, earning hands in family, and the distance of farm from the market have a significant effect on the food security status of the family. As the distance of farm from market place increases labour costs, transportation costs, and fuel charges that affect household livelihood inversely. The results suggest that local food security can be enhanced by creating off-farm employment opportunities, improved transportation facilities, and road infrastructure.

The Analysis of Groundwater Quality and the Impact of Remedial Measures Adopted by the Wheat Growers: Using Endogenous Switching Regression Model Approach

Groundwater pollution is a serious problem, posing severe problems on many economic activities. The study's main objectives were to access the groundwater quality in the study area and analyze the role of farmers in improving the groundwater quality. Total 108 groundwater samples were collected from different locations along the 11-L distributary located in District Sahiwal, Punjab-Pakistan. Samples were tested to analyze the quality of groundwater for agriculture and livestock. The parameters included pH, Ec, and TDS, were tested. Results showed that 14 samples were found to be fit, 23 were marginally fit and 71 were declared unfit for agricultural consumption. The results of CCME water quality index were also in favour of lab reports. Most wheat-growing farmers were using gypsum as a remedial measure to minimize the side effects of poor groundwater quality. Few farmers were using farmyard manure to improve groundwater quality. There are many factors that influence the adoption of remedial measures to compensate for the poor groundwater. Farmers were facing a few limitations that compelled them to avoid incurring any further costs in order to improve groundwater quality. The financial constraint was the main issue. The endogenous switching regression model was used for data analysis. The findings revealed that family workers, experience, education, and soil quality positively impact remedial measures adoption. The study recommended that proper groundwater quality monitoring is required on a regular basis. Farmers should be educated regarding the proper use of gypsum. The sewerage system was absent in many villages of the study area. To avoid the further leaching of hazardous materials into groundwater, it is critical to construct an effective waste management system.