Investigating the agricultural loans research trends from economics and finance perspective: a bibliometric analysis

Background: The agricultural sector in Panama plays a crucial role in food security and rural development. The Agricultural Development Bank (BDA), as a key financial institution, provides agricultural loans to boost the sector. However, operational risk represents a significant challenge for the BDA in its agricultural loan portfolio. Objective: Analyze the operational risk in BDA agricultural loans in the province of Panama. Design and Methods: To carry out an in-depth analysis of the operational risk in the BDA's agricultural loans in the province of Panama, a comprehensive methodology was implemented that included a survey of BDA clients, analysis of historical credit data and interviews with experts in credit management. The information was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results: BDA clients perceive a significant operational risk associated with agricultural loans. Most clients have positive experiences with BDA agricultural loans, but there is room for improvement. Experts identified adverse weather conditions, price fluctuations of agricultural products, pests and diseases, poor financial management by borrowers and deficiencies in credit risk assessment as the main operational risk factors. Conclusions: The BDA faces challenges in managing operational risk in its agricultural loans. The implementation of strategic measures adapted to your context, after a detailed risk analysis and a plan aligned with your strategy, will strengthen your financial position, protect the profitability of the agricultural portfolio and contribute to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector in the province of Panama.

The Effects of Training, Innovation and New Technology on African Smallholder Farmers' Economic Outcomes and Food Security: A Systematic Review

Low participation of smallholder farmers in agricultural loans, despite efforts by governments and NGOs to make funds available for agricultural growth and development, has remained a matter of concern in Nigeria. The study analysed smallholder food crop farmers’ participation in Bank of Agriculture loan (BOA) scheme in Ogun State, Nigeria. Data were analysed for 224 smallholder food crop farmers using simple percentages, means and Probit regression. Results revealed that the mean age, years of education and household size of farmers participating in the premier financial institution’s loan scheme were 42 years, 13 years and 5 persons, respectively. Non-participants had mean age of 43 years, 9 years of education and household size of 7 persons, on average. Male farmers dominated on-farm food crop farming activities as 80% and 88% of participants and non-participants of the loan scheme, respectively were men. The study further showed the determinants of BOA loan scheme participation as: education level (p < 0.01), farm size (p < 0.01) extension visits (p < 0.05) and farmers’ households distance to nearest BOA office (p < 0.01). Contrary to expectation, membership of farmers association had negative but no significant effect on loan participation. The study concluded that intensifying adult education programmes, increasing the number of branches of BOA and promoting frequency of extension visits are crucial to achieving an increased probability of smallholder farmers’ participation in BOA loan scheme.Keywords: Bank of Agriculture, smallholder farmers, loan participation, Probit regression, Nigeria

Abstract: The Ethiopian government is promoting integrated agro-industrial parks (IAIPs) to transform agriculture, but their impact on smallholder farmers' food security is yet to be studied. IAIPs contributions to agricultural transformation and its implication on smallholder farmers food security was studied in Ethiopia. Publications of journal articles, books, proceeding, international conference reports, policy papers, and unpublished reports, newsletters, and speeches of scholars were reviewed for the analyses of this study. The findings showed IAIP is an engine for agricultural transformation in the country. It builds big tent and collective actions of policy makers, leaders, international donors and financial institutions, investors, global practitioners, consultants, agricultural producers, food processers and traders for changing the supply-based subsistence farming system to market oriented and demand driven agriculture. Smallholder farmers participate in different forms in accordance with their key roles to play. Potential farmers have access to improved production technologies to produce and supply raw materials to the IAIPs while others provide off-farm labor. They gain increased income from sales of their products and off-farm employment that increases their financial capacity and ability to buy quality materials including food for their families. In conclusion,, IAIP plays key roles for transforming agricultural sector and have positive implication on smallholder farmers food and nutritional security in Ethiopia. Keywords: Integrated Agro-Industrial Parks, Agriculture transformation, Smallholder farmers, Food Security

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to shed light on the knowledge structure that underpins the manifestation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within public procurement. CSR has been highly linked to public procurement, which is related to government policy and involves purchasing goods and services from others from public bodies. Despite the extensive coverage that CSR has garnered in relation to large multinational corporations, its implementation within the context of SMEs has been found to be severely inadequate.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses science mapping through bibliometric analysis to investigate the existing knowledge structure of CSR in SMEs from 1993–2024. Using bibliographic coupling and co-word analysis, this study evaluates the current structure and potential future trends of CSR in SMEs within public procurement and suggests possible crucial themes for future studies.FindingsThe findings indicate the indispensability of integrating CSR as an organizational ethos, given its potential to create a positive impact on the firm’s overall value proposition and long-term profitability. There are four current themes derived: Fundamental of CSR in SMEs, CSR and firm performance, CSR sustainability management and implementation in SMEs, and SMEs size in CSR implementation. There are three future themes derived: Strategies for successful CSR through governance and stakeholder engagement, Relationship between CSR, financial and environmental performance and effective management and Sustainable development through corporate responsibility and performance. SMEs as critical components in the public and private network, hold the key to substantial national economic growth. The public environment would be shaped by how SMEs conduct their business within the public procurement sphere.Social implicationsSMEs need to actively participate in CSR activities to stay relevant in today’s market. Securing public procurement relies heavily on CSR as part of the government’s commitment to helping small businesses, reducing unemployment, employing disabled workers, gender equality and implementing national industrial policy.Originality/valueThe originality is to provide an in-depth understanding of the role of CSR in SMEs within public procurement by performing science mapping and content analysis of the current phenomenon. This study presents comprehensive research streams in the context of public procurement on the current and future themes based on network visualization through science mapping analysis.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze and examine the influence of the role of the central government, the role of local government, community participation, governance on the success of post-COVID-19 food security policies.Design/methodology/approachThis study conducted a quantification study related to phenomena related to the success of post-COVID-19 food security policies. The data used are primary data with a research instrument in the form of a questionnaire. Data analysis using the measurement model Structural Equation Model (SEM). The population in this study was all people in the city of Bandung, Indonesia.FindingsThe role of the Central Government (X1), the role of the Local Government (X2) and Public Participation (X3) is very important for improving Governance (Y1) and Food Defense Policy (Y2). Thus, the conditions of the role of the Central Government (X1), the role of the Local Government (X2) and Public Participation (X3) must always be maintained. Efforts to maintain the role of the Central Government (X1) and the role of the Local Government (X2) can be done by paying attention to the organizing aspect. This indicator is known to have a very important influence in reflecting the role of the Central Government (X1) and the role of the Local Government (X2). On the other hand, efforts to increase Public Participation (X3) can be done by paying attention to the Psychological indicators (X31).Originality/valueThe government must take steps to prevent a food crisis. Apart from that, the government is also deemed necessary to map existing agricultural potentials, stabilize food prices, carry out consolidation related to agricultural land and also make regulations related to existing food problems. Apart from the role of the government, the public can also take part in maintaining food security to avoid a food crisis. Communities have the opportunity to build food sovereignty and self-sufficiency. During a pandemic like this, people tend to be more creative and can be creative to outsmart existing situations. This includes maintaining access to food. The community is expected to have the awareness to undertake at least independent planting to meet their own food needs.

Commercial banks plays a crucial role in the Agricultural sector in advancing farmers affordable credit to improve their productivity, enhancing their food security, and expanding their income. Financing of the sector however continues to get the lowest levels of credit in Kenya compared to other sectors due to poor loan repayment. This study aimed to establish the effect of macro-economic factors of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Real Effective Exchange Rate, and the Lending rate on Agricultural Non-performing Loans (NPL) and to assess the effect of Growth in Loan Portfolio on Agricultural NPL. Secondary data relating to Commercial Banks lending to the agricultural sector for a period of 7 years from 2011 to 2017 was collected from forty-two Commercial Banks in Kenya. Results showed that agricultural NPL had a strong positive correlation with real GDP (0.836, p<0.001), the Real Effective Exchange rate (0.865, p<0.001), and a weak inverse correlation with the average Bank Lending rate (-0.48, p<0.01). The study concluded that commercial banks should pay close attention to the two factors (Gross Domestic Product and Real Effective Exchange rate) when providing loans to the agricultural sector to reduce the level of impaired loans. The banks active in agricultural lending should, therefore, take the performance of the real economy into account when extending loans given the reality that loan delinquencies are likely to be higher during periods of economic boom as suggested by the study results. Equally Commercial banks should trade with high prudence to curb a possible impairment due to reckless lending and over-estimation of the borrower’s ability to pay back. They should constantly review the complexity and diversity of the new loans to the agricultural sector periodically like quarterly, and do aging analysis to ensure that the growth in agricultural loans do not serve to window dress the portfolio at risk percentage while the actual amounts in default are increasing.

The international community’s view on the state’s role in a country’s development and by extension food security situation is currently very positive. As a means to improve governance, decentralization in its many forms is being advocated all over the world. In August of 2010, Kenya embraced a new system of governance which involved the devolution of the central government and public participation as its new and critical components. This implied a shift in the roles of national and county governance towards the achievement of food security. Since food security is a multi-dimensional phenomenon, it is affected by many factors including governance. Thus, the government among other actors, plays a critical role in the achievement of food security. The scope of this review was ‘Good Food Security Governance’ within the national context, specifically focusing on the two tiers of government; national and county. This study aimed to call to attention the areas under governance in need of special attention by outlining the history of Kenya’s political economy that has contributed to the current state of food insecurity. It also seeks to reinforce government’s role in food security and propose possible key roles the national and county governments could embrace towards the realization of food security. There is need to eradicate corruption, streamline land tenure systems through effective land reforms, strengthen institutions that were weakened during former government regimes and empower county governments. The role of governments at both county and national level in food security should be reinforced by viewing food security as a public good and on the basis of the right to food as stipulated in the constitution of Kenya. While the national government needs to focus on capacity building of county governments, spurring economic growth, aiding poor rural farmers and putting in place social safety nets, the county government’s role should be the identification and implementation of context-specific integrated approaches to improve food security of their peoples. In conclusion, if these considerations are to be properly addressed then governance for food security in Kenya can be improved. Key words : Kenya, Governance, Decentralization, Roles, Food Security, Political Economy, County

Oil palm expansion among Indonesian smallholders - adoption, welfare implications and agronomic challenges

This study focuses on determinants of the agricultural loan decision-making process of rice (Oryza sativa) farmers in Abuja, Nigeria, using the Heckman two-stage model and factor analysis. This study was designed specifically to achieve the following objectives: determine the socio-economic profiles or characteristics of rice farmers, analyze the costs and returns of rice production, evaluate factors influencing rice farmers’ decision to obtain an agricultural loan, evaluate socio-economic factors influencing the amount of the agricultural loan, and determine the constraints or problems facing rice farmers. A multi-stage sampling design was employed. A total sample of one hundred (100) rice farmers was included, and primary data were utilized. Data were obtained through the use of a well-structured and well-designed questionnaire. Statistical and econometric tools used in analyzing data included descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, financial analysis, the Heckman two-stage model, and principal component analysis. The results show that 63% of rice farmers were between the age of 31–50 years. The mean age was 41.90 years. About 65% of rice farmers were male, and 54% of them were married. Also, 93% of rice farmers had formal education and were literate. The household sizes were large, with an average of six persons per household. An average of 71,550 nairas was the loan amount granted to rice farmers by financial institutions. The average farm size amounted to 1.49 hectares. Factors influencing the decision of rice farmers to obtain agricultural loan included age (P &lt; 0.01), marital status (P &lt; 0.05), household size (P &lt; 0.10), educational level (P &lt; 0.05), farm size (P &lt; 0.05), farm and non-farm income (P &lt; 0.10), farm experience (P &lt; 0.05), collateral property (P &lt; 0.05), extension services (P &lt; 0.10), and awareness of loan or credit facilities (P &lt; 0.05). Rice production was profitable with a net farm income of 744,300 nairas. The gross margin ratio of 0.95 means that 95 kobos covered profits, taxes, expenses, interest, and depreciation for every naira invested in rice production activities. Socio-economic factors statistically and significantly influencing the amount of agricultural loan obtained by rice farmers included (P &lt; 0.05) sex (P &lt; 0.01), household size (P &lt; 0.05) and educational level (P &lt; 0.01). The constraints facing rice farmers in obtaining the agricultural loan and production activities included lack of collateral property, lack of fertilizer input, poor-quality feeder roads, lack of credit facilities, inadequate labor input, and complicated and costly administrative procedures to obtain a loan. It is recommended that agricultural loans be made available to rice farmers in sufficient amounts and at low-interest rates. Also, farm inputs, fertilizer inputs, improved seeds, and chemicals should be made available to rice farmers

Determinants and livelihood impacts of natural resource management strategies among smallholder farmers in Malawi

This paper reviews various studies which have provided a description and possible explanation to patterns of innovation adoption in the agricultural sector. The survey points out that the tendency of many studies to consider innovation adoption in dichotomous terms (adoption/nonadoption) may not be appropriate in many cases where the actual decisions are defined over a more continuous range. More attention needs to be given to the socio-cultural and institutional environment in area studies so that their interrelation with economic factors affecting adoption can be inferred. The presence of several interrelated innovations is another aspect that needs to be considered more carefully in future research, since a number of simultaneous decisions may be involved. Furthermore, the possibility of regular sequential patterns in adopting components of a new technological package should be specifically addressed in future studies. Finally, the impact of differential adoption rates on land holding distribution merits attention in future research.

The food security challenge for southern Africa

The important role and contribution of smallholder farmers (SHF) in the southern Philippines towards national food security and the fabric of the nation is without question. This study identified the priorities for a SHF collective action approach for sustainable livelihood improvement. These priorities developed into the Sustainable Agricultural Cluster Framework (SACF) that included the interactions, perturbations and transformational influences to describe the SHF collective approach. Since 2010 the Philippines has enjoyed an annual economic growth of over 6% in Gross Domestic Product (GDP); however, poverty and hunger persists and in some rural regions continues to worsen. The failure of GDP benefits reaching the vulnerable poor and influencing poverty puts more importance on policies to strengthen and enhance national food and nutritional security. An increasing population, lack of infrastructure, encroachment of global marketing, decaying resources, SHFs limited knowledge of marketing and production, and Climate Change threaten the development goals of the Government of the Philippines. These structural and natural disaster threats disproportionately affect the SHFs and other vulnerable poor.Rural projects and structural adjustment programs frequently focus on financial improvement and promotion of farming practices that integrate into an economically efficient conventional food system. Whilst providing long-term benefits to the national economy these transformational programs can impose economic hardships on SHFs, or worse a permanent collapse of their local food system as they embrace the global trade of the conventional food system. The rising GDP of the Philippines shows that a sole focus on financial restructuring does not address hunger, poverty or local food security.The poor and vulnerable SHFs in the southern Philippines individually make a negligible contribution to the nation, but measured as a group, are highly significant contributors to food security, nutrition security, biodiversity, biosecurity, local culture, and local community development. SHF collective action groups, referred to as agricultural clusters, optimally comprise a group of ten to twenty SHFs collaborating in production and marketing in a local food system. There are direct SHF benefits from participating in agricultural clusters and spillover benefits that improve livelihoods and sustainability of their rural communities. Cluster organizations are unique and shaped by their members within their environments. SHFs benefit from membership of an agricultural cluster through the sharing of resources, labour, risks, and ideas that contribute to improvement in livelihood categories measured under headings of finance, social, human, natural and physical. Joining a cluster to access benefits and improve living condtions appears a rational economic decision for a SHF. This economically rational approach drives government policy and investment into agricultural clusters as a fulcrum for social formation, information transfer, and transformational change. The high failure rate of agricultural clusters suggests the SHFs hold a different view of rationality. SHFs consider an extensive range of complex and dynamic factors to make rational decisions based on their unique circumstances to bring livelihood improvements to themselves, their family, and their community. Neoclassical economic theory of their present conditions is not the basis of SHF decisions. Financial concerns incorporated and balanced against slow emergent factors or sudden shocks to livelihoods influence SHF decisions. Using a Constructivist Grounded Theory approach this study conducted in the southern Philippine islands of Mindanao, Bohol, Leyte and Samar, investigated the factors that influenced the sustainability and capacity of SHF agricultural clusters to adapt and develop within their environments. Interviews of twenty-two agriculture cluster facilitators provided insights and an understanding of general and germane issues on cluster sustainability. Subsequent sixteen Focus Group Discussions with agricultural cluster smallholder farmer members provided individual cluster and smallholder farmer perspectives. Emerging from the data was a collection of five categories important for sustainable agricultural clusters. The five data categories combined and integrated created two new frameworks on agricultural clusters. These are a Sustainable Agricultural Cluster Framework (SACF) and a Cluster Maturity Framework (CMF). Both frameworks are practical instruments for facilitator development activities and a planning tool to understand the potential mode of action of interventions. Development interventions match their needs measured using the CMF maturity-level assessment and the potential impacts of these interventions and alternatives assessed using the SACF.The results indicate smallholder agricultural clusters are sustainable when there exists a balance of identified concepts grouped under five-livelihood categories; social, human, financial, physical, and natural.

Background: Health kickbacks is the central part of the this study to report corruption in the areas of infrastructural projects, purchase of drugs and medical equipment, supply of services, job transfer or promotion and natural disaster management. Because it is now a widely accepted reality that corruption occurs whenever there is government engagement in the sectors, the supply of public services or goods may be negatively impacted as a result of corruption. This has the potential to have devastating effects in a variety of spheres, including the social, political, economic, and administrative spheres in health sector. Material and Methods: This research is under the shed of bibliometric analysis of the publications on corruption in health by taking the temporal development using the dimension database connecting 2014-23 publications. Science Mapping is a type of bibliometric study used by co-citation analysis to show the intellectual and bibliometric structure of a study area in this research. The study investigation contained more than 6000 of the publications by the keywords, journals and topic of analysis. Science mapping is the part of bibliometric analysis technique is used by the researcher by implementing citation analysis and co-citation analysis to acknowledge influential publications by the clustering the visuals on corruption in health studies. Findings: The findings indicated intellectual structure was the prolific contributor in terms of cited references, Health policy and planning journal in terms of source, Hutchinson 2018 as citation network document. Previous literature revealed foundation corruption base of governance, financial, operation, competitive management in health related practices being reported by the global studies. The study added to the body of knowledge.