APPLICATION OF AGRICULTURAL LOAN IN MUSLIM COMMUNITY: A STUDY BASED ON KEKIRAWA DIVISIONAL SECRETARIAT OF ANURADHAPURA IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

Agriculture plays most important role in Sri Lankan economy like some other developing nations in South Asia such as India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan. In this way, the agricultural farming sector is identified as a key tool for the economic development in Sri Lanka and it helps to effectively utilize the invaluable resources of the country such as green lands and appropriate climate as it should be and to significantly boost the wealth of the country as well. Furthermore, as it helps to expand the level of GDP, the Interest rates as well as the inflation rates are mostly estimated at present depending on the level of agricultural cultivation sector in the country. It is noteworthy to point out at this occasion that as Sri Lanka is mainly an agricultural nation the most people are involving in individual and joint venture farming activities. At the same time, it is also very important to mention here that most people who involve in agricultural cultivation reach the banks and financial institution for the purpose of getting loans to meet their agricultural financial needs. In this context, this research aims to identify the loan systems which are implemented in agricultural sector among the Muslim community, especially among Muslim farmers who are living in Kekirawa divisional secretariat in Anuradhapura district. The research would be extremely significance due to there is no sufficient previous studies find concerning with agricultural loan systems among Muslim community in particular research area in Sri Lanka. This research is designed as mixed method with the inclusion of qualitative and quantitative data which collected in term of finding the correct solutions and providing appropriate recommendations. The findings of the research reveals that the farmers who live in Kekirawa divisional secretariat of Anuradhapura do not depend and connect with banks or other financial institutions to get any advances, but they use to fulfil their needs of capital for farming from money lenders, shopkeepers, friends relatives and NGOs. Therefore, the system should be introduced under the Islamic banks and financial institutions to promote the Shariah compliance products and interest free loan systems not only for Muslim farmers but also to all citizens who wish to involve in agricultural cultivations. Moreover, NGOs and shopkeepers who provide agricultural credit services should be adapted in accordance with the Islamic Shariah compliance. KEY WORDS: Agriculture, Loan Systems, Farmers, Kekirawa. Shariah Compliance, Islamic Banks