Sources Of Credit Research Articles

Assessment of Socio-demographic Predictors of Fish Farmers’ Access to Formal Credit Sources in Ogun West Senatorial District, Nigeria

Assessment of Socio-demographic Predictors of Fish Farmers’ Access to Formal Credit Sources in Ogun West Senatorial District, Nigeria

Constraints Faced and Suggestions Offered by Women Self Help Group Members in Cuddalore District, India

Women's empowerment is essential to ensuring equal access to opportunities and their rights are properly respected. This is accomplished by enhancing and expanding women's social, economic, political, and legal existence. The present study was conducted in Cuddalore Block of Cuddalore District. A proportionate random sampling procedure was applied to select 120 respondents. They were members of Mahalir's Women Self-Help Group. Thittam project under, the organizational efforts taken by the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women (TNCDW) to define the constraints faced and suggestions offered by the members of SHGs. The study found that lack of awareness about credit sources, followed by a lack of adequate communication skills and more dependence on leaders are the major personal constraints faced by women SHG members. Also, insufficient credit facilities, followed by a lack of periodical training and a lack of marketing channels for selling their produce, are the major organisational constraints women SHG members face. Among the suggestions, the majority of the members offered to increase the loan amount, enhance the subsidy amount to the women members and create employment opportunities for women members.

The Process of Financialization in the Industrialized Economies: In the Perspective of the Credit-money System

In this article, by analyzing relevant indicators of monetary finance in 20 highly industrialized countries from 1972-2022, we interpret the impact of their credit and monetary systems on the process of financialization of mature industrialized countries. Our findings suggest that in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis, the core of what drives the financialization of national economies began to shift gradually from credit expansion provided by the national financial system to money supplied by the government. In response to this finding, the study further provides the following two in-depth explanations. Firstly, the financial system's requirement for capital accumulation, which is primarily reflected in the accumulation of money, has led to a tendency among mature industrialized nations to engage in financial speculation. This trend has significantly accelerated the expansion of domestic financial activities. Secondly, with the decoupling of money from precious metals and its transition to a government-backed credit system, governments have assumed corresponding responsibilities for social management. The currency pursued by the financial market is tied to both the government and the market due to its credit source, and the government supports unreasonable financial behavior in the market by injecting large amounts of currency. Therefore, if we fail to further regulate financial institutions and implement rescue measures to improve the interaction between the financial markets and the government, we may encounter greater financial risks in the future.

The Relationship between the Sharecropping System, Informal Credit, and Productivity: The Empirical Evidence from the Madurese Traditional Solar Salt Business

The ease in obtaining a loan is often regarded as a key advantage of the sharecropping system in the traditional solar salt business of Pamekasan Regency. The challenges faced by tenant farmers in accessing formal financial institutions have led to the continued prevalence of the sharecropping system in rural areas. This research aims to find the relationship between the sharecropping system, informal credit, and salt land productivity. The first analysis employs a multiple linier regression model on 93 tenant farmers in Pamekasan Regency to analyze the factors that influenced the amount of informal credit. Next, a quantitative descriptive analysis was carried out regarding the relationship between the sharecropping system, the amount of informal credit, and the productivity of solar salt fields area. Findings indicate that the significant factors affecting the credit amounts requested by tenant farmers include the cost of funds, loan duration, profits garnered by tenant farmers, the availability of collaterals, and the presence of other credit sources. The second conclusion of this research findings is that the extent of solar salt land area has a positive correlation with the informal credit amount, as does the productivity of the land. It should be an expected necessity for the government to play a larger role in supplying formal credit to small-scale farmers. This includes measures like credit rationing to diminish the influence of landowners.

Exploring Financial Inclusion among Women Entrepreneurs: A Survey in Hazaribagh District, Jharkhand

Financial inclusion is a critical aspect of economic empowerment, particularly for marginalized segments such as women entrepreneurs. This research investigates the landscape of financial inclusion among women entrepreneurs in Hazaribagh District, Jharkhand, aiming to identify challenges and opportunities for enhancing their financial participation. Through a comprehensive survey-based approach, this study explores various dimensions of financial inclusion, including access to financial services, utilization patterns, and perceptions among women entrepreneurs in the region. In Hazaribagh District, Jharkhand, where entrenched gender norms often limit women's economic opportunities, understanding the status of financial inclusion among women entrepreneurs becomes imperative. Previous studies suggest significant disparities in access to finance, hindering the growth of women-led businesses. This study seeks to address this gap by conducting a survey to assess the extent of financial inclusion among women entrepreneurs in Hazaribagh District. A structured questionnaire was designed to collect data from a sample of women entrepreneurs operating across various sectors in Hazaribagh District. The questionnaire encompassed sections on demographic details, access to financial services, borrowing and saving behaviors, financial literacy, and perceptions of financial institutions. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select respondents, ensuring representation from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Data collection occurred over a specific timeframe, and responses underwent analysis using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Analysis of the survey data revealed significant insights into the status of financial inclusion among women entrepreneurs in Hazaribagh District. Specifically, 72% of respondents reported limited access to formal financial services, citing factors such as distance to banking institutions and lack of awareness as primary barriers. Moreover, 58% of women entrepreneurs relied on informal sources of credit, indicating a substantial gap in formal financial engagement. Despite these challenges, 85% of respondents expressed a willingness to engage with formal financial institutions if provided with suitable products and services tailored to their needs. The discussion underscores the importance of targeted interventions to enhance financial inclusion among women entrepreneurs in Hazaribagh District. Strategies such as mobile banking initiatives, financial literacy workshops, and microfinance programs emerge as potential avenues for addressing existing gaps and empowering women economically. Furthermore, collaborative efforts involving government agencies, financial institutions, and non-profit organizations are essential for creating an enabling environment conducive to women's entrepreneurship development. This research delivers valuable insights into the state of financial inclusion among women entrepreneurs in Hazaribagh District, Jharkhand. By pinpointing barriers and opportunities, it provides a foundation for evidence-based policy interventions aimed at advancing women's economic empowerment. The findings underscore the significance of holistic approaches that tackle not only access to finance but also socio-cultural factors shaping women's entrepreneurial endeavors. Moving forward, sustained efforts are warranted to foster an inclusive financial ecosystem that empowers women entrepreneurs to thrive and contribute to the socio-economic fabric of the region. In conclusion, this study underscores the urgency of addressing the financial inclusion gap among women entrepreneurs in Hazaribagh District and offers actionable recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders committed to promoting gender equality and inclusive economic growth.

Constraints to agricultural finance in underdeveloped and developing countries: a systematic literature review

ABSTRACT Agricultural finance plays a pivotal role in facilitating the modernization and commercialization of farming practices and bolstering global food security. However, the provision of sustainable financial services in remote regions poses a significant challenge within the developing and underdeveloped countries. Consequently, farmers often grapple with inadequate access to formal credit sources and essential productive assets due to diverse constraints. Although, several studies have investigated constraints to agriculture finance; the literature is divergent and a holistic framework of constraints to agriculture finance is missing. Therefore, this research explores the constraints to agriculture finance in 31 developing and underdeveloped countries using systematic review approach, and synthesizes a holistic framework of the constraints using Qualitative Evidence Synthesis (QES) method that can be used as dependable framework for conceptualization and policy formation. Moreover, it describes the interplay and mutual reinforcement between the challenges faced by different stakeholders to elaborate how they influence each other in complex ways. Additionally, this study suggests a collective and multi-faceted approach for overcoming barriers to agricultural financing, and highlights the limitations and unintended consequences of agricultural credit and its implications for agricultural sustainability.

The Transformative Role of Fintech in Modern Business Organizations: A Comprehensive Analysis

The power of Fintech has been growing rapidly, and it has become a world of choice for small,medium-sized and large enterprises.Fintech enterprises facilitate consumers' access to an extensive array of financial alternatives, such as business loans via digital platforms.The adoption of Fintech among SMEs is 25% globally, leaving plenty of room for growth.Small businesses may now handle their finances more easily and affordably thanks to fintech developments, which frequently provide more cheap alternatives to traditional banking services. Small businesses can leverage financial technology to enhance customer service, reduce costs, and streamline operations with the help of fintech..The impact of Fintech on small and large businesses is significant and multi-faceted.Fintech has completely changed how companies handle their money, carry out financial transactions, and obtain capital (Bulkhairova et al., 2023). It has provided small businesses with access to affordable and convenient financial services,leveling the playing field with larger companies. Furthermore, Fintech has streamlined and automated various financial processes, saving businesses time and resources. Additionally, Fintech has facilitated the development of innovative business models and the emergence of new industries. It has fostered financial inclusion by reaching underserved populations and facilitating access to banking services. Overall, Fintech has proven to be a transformative force for businesses of all sizes, offering a wide range of benefits and opportunities. Fintech is of utmost importance for both small and large scale businesses. In recent years, thanks to technological innovations , Fintech's interaction with finance is quickly altering how traditional financial services are offered, significantly impacting banks activities . Furthermore, Fintech is increasingly impacting the real economy,stimulating the modernization of financial business . It is clear that Fintech plays a crucial role in the growth and success of both small and large scale businesses. Not only does Fintech provide small and large businesses with access to affordable and convenient financial services, it also streamlines financial processes, saves time and resources, fosters innovation, and promotes financial inclusion (Sembiring et al., 2022). Keywords :fintech; small-scale businesses; large-scale businesses; financial technology; traditional financial services;banks' activities; disruptive force; alternative source of credit

Climate change and the European banking sector: the effect of green technology adaptation and human capital

PurposeClimate change poses effect on banking sector’s risks and profitability through adaptation of green technology. This study aims to incorporates green technology adaptation in three sectors: green banking, green entrepreneurial innovation (EI) and green human resource (HR), in a model of bank’s performance. And determines the impact of climate change on bank risk and profitability.Design/methodology/approachAn assessment of profitability and risk profile of commercial banks is done for 27 European countries for 2013–2022, employing a two-step difference system-generalized method of moments estimation technique with a moderate effect of climate change by including interaction between climate change and green technology adaptation.FindingsThe results indicate that green banking increases profitability, reduces credit risk and increases liquidity risk. The results also show that green human resource increases profitability and becomes a source of credit and liquidity risks for the banks. Green EI increases credit risk and liquidity risk, while the effects of green EI on profitability vary with the use of two proxies: Green patents increase profitability and environment, social and corporate governance (ESG) scores decrease profitability.Practical implicationsSupportive government initiatives, including subsidies and tax rebates to green borrowers, may take the burden of green transition off the banking sector.Originality/valueThis paper observes the impact of green technology adaptation in three sectors: banks, EI and HR, moderated by climate change, adding substantially to the existing literature in conceptual framework and methodology.

Financial inclusion of urban agro-processors: effect of credit on poverty status of roasted plantain vendors in Calabar, Nigeria

This study analysed the effect of credit on the poverty status of roasted plantain vendors in Calabar, Nigeria. The study described sources of credit, comparing the poverty status of credit recipients versus non-recipients, and the relationship between credit access and poverty index alongside the relationship between socioeconomic factors and poverty index. Data was collected from 110 randomly sampled roasted plantain vendors with the use of structured questionnaire. Poverty was measured with the Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) model class of weighted poverty measures. Descriptive statistics were used to examine poverty status, access to credit and the sociodemographic attributes of the roasted plantain vendors. Next, using descriptive statistics, the poverty status of the vendors who accessed credit was compared to those who did not access credit. Finally, the association between access to credit and poverty index was analyzed with logistic regression model while adjusting for the effects of sociodemographic factors. Descriptive statistics showed that 60% of the vendors were female, the average age was 35 years, and the average household size was four persons. Precisely, 91% of the roasted plantain vendors had completed primary or higher education. Exactly, 64.5% received credit, while 30.79% reported non-institutional lenders as sources of credit. The mean monthly income was N48,036.36 (US$116.89). Poverty incidence was lower among credit recipients (0.268) compared to non-recipients (0.487). Credit access (OR = .083, p<.01) and household (OR=2.496, p<.01) had statistically significant associations with the poverty index. Policies promoting structural transformation are recommended for sustainable financial inclusion. An effective economic growth and development program, for example, will increase productive capacities and reduce capital losses, increase creditworthiness, motivate capital expansion and sustainable growth. Also, it was recommended that cooperative formation among the vendors is required. Membership of such a cooperative will increase credit access through reduced transaction cost, higher group’s creditworthiness/borrowing experience and stronger negotiation capacity. A Nigerian economic transformation program to promote increased productive capacities and reduced capital losses is necessary for any financial inclusion policies to sustainably alleviate poverty among deprived agro-processors such as the roasted plantain vendors. Such programs will include financial literacy including banking and loan repayments, business innovations, and business plan development. Key words: Credit, Financial inclusion, Micro-agro-processors, Plantain roasting, Poverty, Urban agriculture

Financial inclusion of urban agro-processors: effect of credit on poverty status of roasted plantain vendors in Calabar, Nigeria

This study analysed the effect of credit on the poverty status of roasted plantain vendors in Calabar, Nigeria. The study described sources of credit, comparing the poverty status of credit recipients versus non-recipients, and the relationship between credit access and poverty index alongside the relationship between socioeconomic factors and poverty index. Data was collected from 110 randomly sampled roasted plantain vendors with the use of structured questionnaire. Poverty was measured with the Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) model class of weighted poverty measures. Descriptive statistics were used to examine poverty status, access to credit and the sociodemographic attributes of the roasted plantain vendors. Next, using descriptive statistics, the poverty status of the vendors who accessed credit was compared to those who did not access credit. Finally, the association between access to credit and poverty index was analyzed with logistic regression model while adjusting for the effects of sociodemographic factors. Descriptive statistics showed that 60% of the vendors were female, the average age was 35 years, and the average household size was four persons. Precisely, 91% of the roasted plantain vendors had completed primary or higher education. Exactly, 64.5% received credit, while 30.79% reported non-institutional lenders as sources of credit. The mean monthly income was N48,036.36 (US$116.89). Poverty incidence was lower among credit recipients (0.268) compared to non-recipients (0.487). Credit access (OR = .083, p<.01) and household (OR=2.496, p<.01) had statistically significant associations with the poverty index. Policies promoting structural transformation are recommended for sustainable financial inclusion. An effective economic growth and development program, for example, will increase productive capacities and reduce capital losses, increase creditworthiness, motivate capital expansion and sustainable growth. Also, it was recommended that cooperative formation among the vendors is required. Membership of such a cooperative will increase credit access through reduced transaction cost, higher group’s creditworthiness/borrowing experience and stronger negotiation capacity. A Nigerian economic transformation program to promote increased productive capacities and reduced capital losses is necessary for any financial inclusion policies to sustainably alleviate poverty among deprived agro-processors such as the roasted plantain vendors. Such programs will include financial literacy including banking and loan repayments, business innovations, and business plan development. Key words: Credit, Financial inclusion, Micro-agro-processors, Plantain roasting, Poverty, Urban agriculture

Bank Credit and Loan Repayment Rates During Covid-19 In Kabale District: A Case of Lyamujungu Sacco

The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of bank credit on loan repayment rates in the Kabale region using Lyamujungu SACCO as the case study. Loan repayment performance at Lyamujungu SACCO has rapidly declined. The loan manager said the situation was getting worse and there was almost no ability to repay the loan. This has to do with the borrower's personality, solvency, and credit history. Members will flee from SACCO if the situation persists. The objectives of the study are:To establish the effect of borrower characteristics on loan repayment during COVID-19 in Lyamujungu SACCO, Examine the impact of borrower's loan solvency on repayment during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lyamujungu SACCO and Determining the effect of borrower's credit term on repayment during the COVID-19 pandemic at Lyamujungu SACCO. This study used a cross-sectional survey method to examine, characterize and compare bank credit and loan repayment in Kabale district, using Lyamujungu SACCO as the case study. The sample size for each subject type was determined using the table of Krejcie and Morgan (1970) cited in Amin (2005). Out of 150 samples, a sample of 108 people was selected for the study. The researcher used both purported sampling and simple random sampling to select members/clients of SACCO. The simple stochastic method is suitable for large numbers like SACCO customers. Based on the results in the table, the null hypothesis for all three variables is rejected, with a significance level of (p = <.000, p = <.040, and p = <.001) for " The average score of the borrower's character during the repayment period", "The average score of the borrower's capacity during the repayment period" and "The average score of the borrower's credit periods during the repayment period debt" respectively. This means that there is evidence that the distribution of mean scores for each of the three variables is not the same depending on the borrower's ability to repay. The study concluded that labor productivity growth decreased and therefore income decreased, investment decreased and affected the borrower's ability to repay loans during the covid-19 pandemic in lyamujungu SACCO. The study recommends that SACCOs conduct a pre-customer assessment before granting a loan and an ongoing review process before and during loan repayment. This way, the bank will be able to know the exact trajectory of the borrower's performance in terms of repayment. This should be reinforced by effective customer relationship management, where the bank acts as more than just a source of credit

Multiple banking relationships: the role of firm connectedness

Abstract This paper sheds light on the role of firm social connectedness in multiple banking relationships, controlling for other firm-level determinants. Using a large sample of Italian manufacturing firms, we develop novel text-based measures of firm connectedness and multiple banking relationships. We measure firm connectedness by exploiting information on the number of links that a non-financial firm has with any other non-financial firm through individuals who hold a position (such as shareholder, administrator, and technical or administrative employee) in both firms. The paper finds empirical evidence that firm connectedness is positively associated with the number of banks lending to the firm. This effect is stronger for younger, smaller, and more indebted firms, suggesting that firm connectedness favors the diffusion of soft information and ultimately their access to multiple sources of credit by reducing negotiation and transaction costs. Connectedness, on the other hand, does not seem to reduce firms’ incentives to increase the number of lenders in order to minimize hold-up risks.

Agricultural Information Utilization Pattern Among Rural Women Farmers: A Community Level Study in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

This study was to investigate the pattern of agricultural information utilization among the rural women farmers in Effium community of Ebony State. Three research questions and null hypothesis were developed to guide the study. A structured questionnaire was also developed, validated and used for eliciting information from 540 rural women farmers. Data were analyzed with mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions; and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. From the findings, rural women farmers are mostly within middle age for active use of agricultural information; but have small farm holdings, and depend to great extent on inter-personal communication for agricultural information. The findings also revealed that most of rural women farmers have low education. The respondents agreed that women farmers use information on fertilizer, herbicides, improved seeds, labour sources and market locations. But, women rarely use information on livestock management, record keeping, farm planning, sources of credit and farm mechanization. It was then-recommended that government should deploy extension agents into rural areas to educate farmers on the need and how to use new agricultural information technologies. Again farmers should be encouraged to form co-operative societies to enable them secure greater inputs to improve their income.

Credit networks and business dynamics in a viceregal capital: Santafé de Bogotá in the age of Charles III

This article provides aggregate data on credit flows in Santafé de Bogotá, the capital of the Viceroyalty of New Granada (present-day Colombia, Ecuador and western Venezuela). By perusing a thorough report submitted to Bourbon authorities on notarial transactions, which included both ecclesiastical and non-ecclesiastical loans in the city, the article estimates the volume and size of lending activity while exploring how distinct types of credit interacted and shaped the business milieu of the region. It argues that by the late 1770s, Catholic Church lending had ceased to be the main source of investable funds in the region, with merchants and other non-ecclesiastical investors injecting growing funds into sectors traditionally avoided by ecclesiastical lenders such as commerce, mining and manufacturing. Network analysis suggests that merchants became brokers between different credit sources, alleviating information asymmetries and opening the credit market to borrowers with collateral and institutional restrictions willing to pay higher interest rates. Finally, by focusing on New Granada, the largest gold producer of the Spanish Empire, the article identifies some distinctive credit patterns that are different from those developed in silver-driven economies such as New Spain and Peru. Thus, the article provides new paths to study Latin American financial history.

Peran UMKM (Usaha Mikro, Kecil, Dan Menengah) Dalam Meningkatkan Pembangunan Ekonomi Di Indonesia

There are various classes for firms in Indonesia, according legal rules. Businesses can be classified into four categories: enormous, micro, small, and medium. The government refers to the three primary categories of businesses as UMKM, or micro, small, and medium enterprises. For this reason, "Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises" is what the abbreviation UMKM stands for. MSMEs are governed under Law No. 20/2008 on "Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises". The existence of MSMEs makes it easier for people across Indonesia to fulfill these needs. MSMEs play an important role in encouraging employment, economic growth, and reducing social inequality. In addition, MSMEs are essential to solving a number of challenges facing the nation's economy. MSMEs still face various obstacles and constraints in carrying out this task, so they cannot realize their full potential and contribution in social and economic activities. The community, the banking sector as a source of credit, and the government as a policy maker must fully participate in finding solutions.

Экономика Пакистана – причины и последствия замедленного роста

Immediate causes of Pakistan’s economy lagging behind the economies of neighboring countries, such as Bangladesh, India, and China, in the first quarter of the current century lie in a mixture of internal and external circumstances. Primarily, it is the state’s involvement in the “war on terror” that unfolded after the events of September 11, 2001, as well as exogenous natural shocks and financial policy with a built-in dependence on external sources of credit. The deep underlying factors of slower growth include the fundamental immutability of the social structure, the dominance of conservative capitalism, the seizure of the state by elites, which seek short-term enrichment, the transformation of Pakistan into a kind of “rentier state”. Nevertheless, the country has certain potential for development. Firstly, a huge young population, which allows for the use of the so-called demographic dividend. Secondly, the state’s favorable geographical location that may help Pakistan to become a bridge between Central and East Asia, on the one hand, and the Near and Middle East, on the other. This advantage has already been partially realized through the implementation of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) investment project. Thirdly, Pakistan’s natural resources are not sufficiently explored and deposits of not only oil, natural gas, and coal, but also metal ores and rare earth minerals can be discovered. In the middle term, Pakistan may embark on the path of accelerating economic growth and become – among other achievements – one of Russia’s important partners in Asia.

Evaluation Of Credit Risk Management For Sustainability Of Microfinance Institutions

Micro financing is a relatively new financial concept in developing countries, providing alternative source of savings and credit availability for people who, otherwise, cannot get access to those services from the mainstream financial intermediaries. It provides alternative savings opportunities and cheaper source of credit to members, notably of credit unions. Thus, microfinance institutions (MFIs) perform very important role in economic development. Sound risk management policies impact on the sustainability of MFIs. One study noted that low credit risk is directly related to the application of sound qualitative and quantitative risk management tools. Among those qualitative and quantitative risk management tools are the explanatory variables in this study. This paper examined the impact of business experience, use of loan proceeds, loan maturity, and profit maximization motive on MFIs’ sustainability, the dependent variable. Results of the multiple regression were significant, F (5, 82) = 78.24, p < .005; suggesting policy prescription for MFIs: In making loans, MFIs must consider their own business experience, nature or use of loan proceeds by borrowers, maturity or how long the loan funds will be tied up, and MFIs own profit maximization motive because they do impact on credit risk and of consequence MFIs sustainability.

Impacts of Seasonal Nature of Employment on the Income Stability of the Farm Laborers’ Household

Farm workers or laborers are essential as they provide the critical labor needed to cultivate, harvest, and sustain the agricultural processes that ensure food security and drive the agricultural economy. However, in the Philippine agriculture landscape, farm laborers are heavily affected by the seasonality of their employment. The study on the impact of seasonal employment on the income stability of the farm laborer's household remains under exploration. This participatory action research (PAR) aimed to explore the impact of the seasonal nature of employment on the income stability of the farm laborer’s household in Mapurog, Sapad, Lanao del Norte, through resource-flow activity with one-on-one interviews and observations. This is analyzed using the reflexive thematic analysis. The study revealed a complex impact of this developmental issue, including a significant reduction in income during off-peak seasons and increased reliance on informal credit sources. Children stop attending school to engage in labor and help their parents, essential daily needs remain unmet, access to healthcare is deprioritized, and mental distress pervades the community. Furthermore, the research identifies reliance on loans, credit institutions, and extended family arrangements as coping mechanisms for income instability. While these strategies demonstrate the resourcefulness and resiliency of the farm laborers, they exacerbate financial distress rather than alleviate it. The findings suggest that government policies should improve access to education, such as scholarship programs that allow children to attend school without the economic pressure to work. Additionally, financial policies could include the development of alternative and sustainable economic support systems that reduce dependence on loans and debt. Lastly, comprehensive social protection programs should be implemented to provide safety nets for vulnerable families, addressing the root causes of income instability and promoting long-term community resilience.

UTILIZATION PATTERN OF DIVERSE ICT TOOLS BY COASTAL FARMERS DURING THE WARNING STAGES OF CYCLONES

Despitenumerous advanced scientific technologies, we are still at the mercy of some uncontrollable natural calamities. A tropical cyclone is one of the most devastating hydrological disasters among them. Along with violent wind, torrential rain, high wave, destructive storm surges and coastal flooding, the cyclone is responsible for considerable losses to Indian agriculture. After all, farmers are informed, aware, and cope with these difficulties successfully with past experiences, warn through various ICT tools, social media and organizational sources (Pratik and Vinaya, 2022). The study was carried out with a specific objective to determine the utilization pattern of information sources in the cyclone’s early warning stages. Purposively the state of Odisha was selected because it is vulnerable to cyclonic events. 8 villages from 2 coastal districts of the state were considered for the study, and 20 respondents from each village made the sample size 160. The primary data was collected through a well-structured interview schedule and analyzed using appropriate statistical tools. Results divulged that Television was available to 96.25 percent of the respondents, followed by Mobile phones (71.25%), Smartphone (67.50%), Radio (35.63%), Laptop (22.50%), Personal computer (14.38%) and Tablets (5.53%). TV news was the major social media with mean score (3.55) ranked first, followed by SMS (3.50) and Whatsapp (3.26) which the majority of the farmers regularly retrieve information. In contrast, Blog, with a mean score (2.04) was the least used social media by a small proportion of farmers to gain information before cyclones. With comparision to information access through various social media sources, independent variables such as Education, social participation, annual family income, source of credit were found to be positively significant at 1% level of significance, p<0.01, while mass media exposure and extension contact were at 5% level of significance. In the community, there were 5 primary organizational sources, out of which 51.87% of respondents informed through all of the organization where 19.38% of respondents were from 4 sources, followed by 11.88% from 3 sources, 13.75% from 2 sources and 3.12% from a single source. Early warning and information create a great advantage in dealing with such climatic vagaries.

Factors Affecting the Agripreneurial Behaviour of Rural Youth Involved in Mushroom Production as an Enterprise

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) launched ARYA project in the year 2016. The project's main objectives are to entice rural youth to participate in India's agricultural sector and to create employment opportunities in the agricultural and related sectors. It is recognized that there is greater potential for mushroom cultivation as an enterprise as there is increasing consumers' preferences in nearby cities towards mushroom. The KVK promoted mushroom cultivation through demonstrations, capacity building and by providing critical inputs under the project. As a result, rural youth are motivated and engaged in spawn production, mushroom cultivation, marketing and mushroom processing. The result of the present study reveals that majority of the rural youth of successful enterprises as well as discontinued enterprise exhibited a medium level of agripreneurial behavior. The agripreneurial behaviour of rural youth of successful mushroom enterprises correlated positively and significantly with factors like age, education, gender, agri-enterprise experience, occupation, training, social participation, family size, land holding, annual income, source of credit, attitude toward agri-enterprise, extension contact, and mass media exposure. In case of the agripreneurial behaviour of rural youth of discontinued enterprises the variable gender, agri-enterprise experience, occupation, training, social participation, family size, land holding, annual income, attitude toward agri-enterprise, extension contact, and mass media exposure showed positive and significant correlations with agri-entrepreneurial behavior.