Poverty Reduction Research Articles

Understanding the determinants of malnutrition among adolescent girls in Pakistan: What needs to be done?

Adolescent girls are vulnerable and deserve utmost attention to complement their nutrition. This scoping review endeavors to identify the determinants of malnutrition among adolescent girls in Pakistan, and to comprehend the interventions to improve their health and nutritional status. This review of the literature was conducted using Google scholar, PubMed/Medline, Scopus and Web of Science for the published articles between the years 2015-2024. MeSH terms used for search were: adolescent, youth, health, malnutrition, nutrition interventions, systems approach. In addition, the reports from WHO, UN, World Bank, Government of Pakistan and other organizations were also critically reviewed. Moreover, this paper has used Pathways framework which advocates multi-sectoral approaches for poverty reduction. In most developing countries, the compromised nutritional status of adolescent girls, compounded by poverty, has life-long health and economic consequences and their infants have nutritional deficits as well. They are expected to grow as stunted children. Evidence is well elucidated that nutrition sensitive and nutrition specific interventions can improve their nutritional status and subsequent generations. There is a dire need to involve key stakeholders from health, education, nutrition, population, women development, social welfare and other relevant sectors. It is imperative to design interventions for adolescent girls in the country's context to break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition and to improve the economic productivity. Political commitment and effective governance along with policy coherence is required for their healthy transitions into adulthood.

Consumers’ preferences for Vietnamese OCOP jerky beef: a market driving force for sustainable livestock development and poverty alleviation in the mountainous regions

The OCOP (One Commune One Product) program has been vital in reducing poverty, creating jobs for ethnic communities in Vietnam, and contributing to sustainable development. This is why the OCOP is prompted by its integration into government policies. In Ha Giang, one of the country’s poorest provinces, OCOP jerky beef produced from golden cows has supported local economic growth, preserved valuable rare genetic resources, and improved farmer livelihoods. However, the OCOP jerky beef production has faced difficult issues, mainly due to the lack of understanding about consumer preferences and the attributes they find valuable. This study examines market drivers for OCOP jerky beef production by analyzing consumer preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for attributes such as: product origin, health claims, emission reduction, biodiversity, and price. Data from 320 consumers in Hanoi, collected via convenience sampling, reveal that Vietnamese consumers are heterogeneous and willing to pay premiums of 13.17% and 15.83% for emission reduction and biodiversity attributes, respectively. This motivates OCOP jerky beef producers to reduce emissions during raising and processing as well as to preserve the valuable genes of golden cows, which helps to position OCOP jerky beef towards sustainable products. Interestingly, product origin and health claims do not significantly influence WTP (all p > 0.05), which suggest that stronger branding, storytelling, certification for geographical indications (GIs) and consumer trust in health labeling are needed to increase the credibility of OCOP jerky products. These findings highlight consumer preferences for OCOP jerky beef and provide actionable insights for policymakers to support the long-term production of OCOP jerky beef.

Resilience of Micro Enterprises in Disaster-Prone Areas

Micro enterprises form the backbone of many local economies, providing essential goods and services while contributing to poverty reduction and regional development. This study examined the resilience of micro enterprises operating in disaster-prone areas of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Philippines. The study aimed to create an overlay map of micro enterprises near disaster-prone areas, assess their disaster preparedness, knowledge, and business resilience, determine the relationships between these factors, identify key predictors of business resilience, and develop an extension program to enhance resilience management for micro enterprises. A quantitative research approach was employed, involving data collection through surveys administered to micro enterprise owners. Geo-Information System (GIS) tool was utilized to generate the overlay map, pinpointing the proximity of micro enterprises to disaster-prone areas. The findings of the study revealed that micro enterprises are extremely prepared for disaster and are knowledgeable about disaster-related knowledge. In terms of business resilience, micro enterprises are highly resilient in communication and media, and resilient on institutional control, planning and preparedness, philosophy and integrity, and external support and linkages. The study further indicated that there is a significant relationship between disaster preparedness and business resilience, including disaster-related knowledge and business resilience. The results of the regression analysis showed that business resilience is strongly influenced by both disaster preparedness and disaster-related knowledge, with the latter having a stronger impact. The study concluded that while micro enterprises exhibit some level of resilience, there is a critical need for improved disaster risk reduction management practices and stronger support systems to ensure sustainable business operations in the face of recurrent natural disasters.

Design and Synthesis of Magnolol Derivatives Using Integrated CNNs and Pharmacophore Approaches for Enhanced Parasiticidal Activity in Aquaculture.

Aquaculture is a rapidly growing sector of global food production, playing a vital role in poverty alleviation, food security, and income generation. However, it faces substantial challenges, particularly due to infections caused by the protozoan Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, leading to reduced yields and economic losses. In this study, two classes of magnolol derivatives (M1-M26) were synthesized and evaluated for their parasiticidal activity against I. multifiliis theronts and tomonts. Based on the determined EC50 values, two significant convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and pharmacophore models were developed, guiding the design and synthesis of three new compounds. Among these, compound new-1 exhibited superior parasiticidal efficacy both in vitro and in vivo compared to magnolol and the commercial parasiticide methylene blue, with EC50 values of 0.197 and 0.252 mg/L, respectively. Toxicity assays demonstrated that compound new-1 showed no significant harmful effects on goldfish and zebrafish embryos at effective concentrations. Further, in silico and experimental analyses identified CDK2 as a molecular target for compound new-1, which disrupted the reproduction and exerts parasiticidal activity against I. multifiliis. Additionally, compound new-1 exhibited antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus with a MIC of ∼0.8 mg/mL, suggesting its potential application in food preservation. This study provides valuable insights into the development of magnolol-based agents for aquaculture.

Two decades of One Health in action: Enabling sustainable wildlife conservation and livestock production in southern Africa

Abstract The AHEAD (Animal & Human Health for the Environment And Development) program was launched in 2003 at the IUCN World Parks Congress in Durban, South Africa. We defined our mission as serving as “a convening, facilitative mechanism, working to create enabling environments that allow different and often competing sectors to literally come to the same table and find collaborative ways forward to address challenges at the interface of wildlife health, livestock health, and human health and livelihoods.” We continue on this mission more than 20 years later, convening stakeholders, helping delineate conceptual frameworks to underpin planning, management and research, and providing technical support and resources for projects stakeholders identify as priorities. As one of the first applied One Health programs, our work is premised upon the fact that the challenge of managing transboundary animal diseases (TADs) often lies at the heart of whether transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs) will succeed or fail in their aspirations to become the ecologically resilient land-use entities required for long-term delivery of poverty alleviation and related development as well as biodiversity conservation benefits. As the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area’s (KAZA’s) remaining key wildlife corridors, needed for wildlife populations to survive and thrive for generations to come, continue to be blocked by veterinary cordon fences, the urgency of improving regional animal disease management cannot be overstated. This is especially relevant for those European donors to TFCAs whose nations set up the veterinary cordon fencing-based disease management system in the first place – starting in the 1950s when today’s KAZA partner countries were European colonies or protectorates. The prevailing veterinary fencing paradigm is rooted in the colonial era, but with impacts on KAZA’s wildlife that have persisted on up to the present. If we fail to help all countries within a given TFCA actually co-manage disease threats to the livestock sector that all value highly – culturally, economically, and politically – then how can we expect significant progress in terms of fostering habitat connectivity across international boundaries? When a given country fears diseases they believe or know are across the border, how can we lower the perceived or actual risks of the vision of restoring wildlife migrations through removal of segments of the most environmentally damaging fences? The AHEAD program continues to work on these challenges, with recent progress on sectorally integrative approaches providing reasons for cautious optimism. One Health impact statement What was arguably the first applied One Health program, AHEAD (Animal & Human Health for the Environment And Development) was launched in 2003 at the IUCN World Parks Congress in Durban – a year before one of us led the drafting of The Manhattan Principles on ‘One World, One Health’ (Cook et al ., 2004 ). As AHEAD has recently marked its 20th anniversary, some introspection certainly seems prudent. Our goal, our raison d’etre , has been to serve as ‘a convening, facilitative mechanism, working to create enabling environments that allow different and often competing sectors to literally come to the same table and find collaborative ways forward to address challenges at the interface of wildlife health, livestock health, and human health and livelihoods’ (available at: http://cornell-ahead.org ). We continue on our One Health mission to convene stakeholders, help delineate conceptual frameworks to underpin planning, management and research, and provide technical support and resources for projects stakeholders identify as priorities. AHEAD’s One Health framing recognises the need to look at health, disease, and the environment together, while always taking a given region’s socio-economic, political, and policy context into account.

Geopolitical Tensions, Policy Uncertainties, and Human Misery in Developing Countries: Exploring Sustainable Development Paths in 17 Emerging Economies

Geopolitical tensions and policy uncertainties tend to accentuate human misery. However, empirical accounts of their underlying nexus are scant in the literature, limiting the policy options for sustainable development. To circumvent this drawback, we verified the influence of geopolitical risks (GPR) and economic policy uncertainties (EPU) on poverty and income distributions in 17 emerging economies from 2010 to 2021. The estimates of the novel smoothed instrumental-variable quantile regression unveiled the following empirical insights. GPR and EPU are strong determinants of human miseries in these emerging economies. While GPR had more profound effects on the income disparities, EPU influenced poverty more profoundly. Thus, policymakers should focus more on GPR to reduce the income inequalities, while EPU should be the focal point for poverty reductions. The prevailing quality of institutions and financial inclusiveness in these countries failed to engender substantial reductions in human miseries. Remarkably, human capacity building and the availability of ICT infrastructures reduced human miseries substantially. Therefore, we emphasize articulating country-specific countercyclical policy guidelines capable of insulating the macroeconomic spaces from global risk factors like GPR and EPU. Besides, the roles of strong institutions, human capacity building, inclusive finance, and ICT infrastructure cannot be overemphasized. By implementing these policy guidelines, human miseries would be eliminated for overall welfare optimization.

Tourism Management Strategies to Address Poverty and Unemployment in Support of Economic Growth and State Resilience

Purpose of the Study: This study explores the strategic role of the tourism sector in reducing poverty and unemployment through local economic empowerment, particularly in underdeveloped and border regions of Indonesia. It underscores the importance of a multi-stakeholder collaboration—involving government, private sector, and communities—to address regional disparities, promote inclusive growth, and ensure long-term socio-economic sustainability. Methodology: The research adopts a descriptive-analytic method utilizing secondary data obtained from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the Ministry of Finance, and relevant literature. Through comparative data analysis and trend observation, the study evaluates the tourism sector’s impact on socio-economic indicators. Main Findings: The findings reveal that the tourism sector significantly contributes to poverty alleviation and employment creation, particularly through the development of nature- and culture-based tourism. A reduction in poverty from 9.71% in 2021 to 9.54% in 2022 suggests that empowerment initiatives are having a positive impact. However, regional disparities remain prominent, especially in Maluku and Papua, indicating the need for region-specific policies. The synergy among stakeholders plays a crucial role in fostering inclusive and sustainable growth. Novelty/Originality of the Study: This research offers a novel integrative framework positioning tourism not only as an economic driver but also as a tool for inclusive development, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. Unlike conventional studies focusing solely on economic growth, this study emphasizes the transformative power of tourism as a pillar of resilience-building and long-term poverty reduction in marginalized and remote areas, making it a critical component of national development policy.

Functional and medicinal properties of Searsia undulata (Kuni-bush): A narrative review

Plant species continue to provide humans with new remedies and also play an important role as sources of vitamins, amino acids, minerals and trace elements that are important for maintaining health and preventing diseases. Searsia undulata is an evergreen tree well-known for its edible fruits, and also widely used in traditional medicine. The current study was aimed at documenting the functional and medicinal uses of S. undulata, including its phytochemical and pharmacological properties. Research articles on functional and ethnopharmacological properties of S. undulata were searched from online databases such as PubMed®, Web of Science, SciELO, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect®, SpringerLink® and Scopus® and also pre-electronic literature obtained from the university library. This study showed that the fruits of S. undulata are used as a snack, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverage, and a sweet preserve throughout the distributional range of the species in Namibia and South Africa. The bark, leaves and roots of S. undulata are used in post partem recovery, and also in traditional medicine to treat and/or manage 18 human diseases and ailments, including chest ailments, colds, gastro-intestinal problems, influenza and stomach problems. Ethnopharmacological research conducted so far, showed that S. undulata extracts and phytochemical compounds isolated from the species demonstrated antibacterial, antimycobacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cytotoxicity activities. The importance of S. undulata for the survival of local communities in Namibia and South Africa and their livelihoods are demonstrated in recognition of this taxon as a multipurpose species, not only important as food plant and source of herbal medicines, but associated with provision of several ecosystem services and goods. This review highlights the need for detailed nutritional and ethnopharmacological studies of S. undulata focusing on its nutritional, phytochemical, biological and toxicological properties, in vivo and clinical studies. Such ethnopharmacological research focusing on functional and medicinal properties of S. undulata is likely to see an increased recognition given to these uses and values of the species, and their essential role in promoting sustainable development and poverty alleviation. Key words: Anacardiaceae, functional, materia medica, Searsia undulata, southern Africa, traditional medicine

Towards A Modern Waqf Management Model: Optimizing the Utilization of Waqf Potential in Islamic Countries

Waqf is one of the Islamic social finance instruments with immense potential to support the economic development of the ummah through sustainable long-term assets. The concept of perpetual waqf (mu’abbad) emphasizes the principle of asset perpetuity to provide continuous benefits to society, particularly in the sectors of education, agriculture, healthcare, and social welfare. In various Islamic countries, including Indonesia, waqf has significantly contributed to poverty alleviation and the improvement of social well-being. However, its implementation in Indonesia still faces challenges, such as suboptimal management, limited public awareness, and insufficient adoption of technology.This study employs a literature review method to explore the potential of waqf in Indonesia and other Islamic countries while examining modern waqf management models implemented in developed countries such as Egypt, Turkey, and Jordan. The findings indicate that professionalized management, technological integration, and public education are crucial for maximizing waqf’s contribution as a modern economic instrument. Additionally, to optimize the benefits of waqf as a perpetual economic instrument, several modern waqf management models are proposed, including istibdal (asset substitution), investment (istismar), transforming direct waqf into productive waqf, leasing of waqf assets, waqf-based financing, and the Benefit, Opportunity, Cost, and Risk (BOCR) analysis.

Assessing the relative significance of key risk factors for child undernutrition in Punjab, Pakistan

BackgroundChild undernutrition remains a pressing global concern, with Pakistan among the most affected countries in South Asia. Despite recognition of its multifaceted causes, the relative importance of key risk factors remains insufficiently understood. This study investigates the relative significance of associated risk factors among preschool-age children in Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province.MethodsUsing data from the 2018 Punjab Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), this study analyses 38,495 children aged 0–59 months. Binary logistic regression models were employed to estimate the effects of 25 risk factors on stunting, underweight, and wasting, selected through a review of literature. The analysis was conducted for the full sample (children aged 0–59 months) and two age sub-groups: infants aged 0–5 months and children aged 6–35 months, selected to reflect key developmental stages. Environmentally modifiable risk factors were ranked by effect size to identify high-priority intervention areas.ResultsFive key predictors were consistently associated with stunting and underweight: household poverty, low maternal education, short birth intervals, underage motherhood, and low birth weight (LBW). For wasting, significant determinants included LBW, low maternal education, incomplete vaccination, and recent fever. Among children aged 6–35 months, inadequate dietary diversity was a major contributor, while in infants (0–5 months), lack of exclusive breastfeeding and unassisted delivery were most influential. Box plot analysis revealed that older children face higher and more variable undernutrition risks, whereas infants benefit from protective factors such as breastfeeding and neonatal care—highlighting the importance of age-specific interventions.ConclusionsThe findings underscore the urgent need for integrated, age-adapted strategies that address both structural and behavioural determinants of child undernutrition. Effective interventions must combine poverty reduction, maternal education, and healthcare access with targeted nutrition programs for infants and toddlers. These insights offer a critical evidence base to inform policies aimed at improving child nutrition and health in Punjab and similar contexts.

Towards a method for poverty reduction potential in social life cycle assessment with application to the cobalt supply chain

Towards a method for poverty reduction potential in social life cycle assessment with application to the cobalt supply chain

Role of gender-based digital financial inclusion and women empowerment in poverty reduction: evidence from Asian countries

The main aim of this study is to explore the role of gender-based digital financial inclusion (GDFI) and women empowerment in poverty reduction in Asian countries using a panel data set from 2011 to 2023. For this purpose, the GDFI index, consisting of various indicators, was constructed employing principal component analysis (PCA). It also uses econometric techniques like the cross-sectional dependence (CSD) test, second-generation unit root tests such as CADF and CIPS, and traditional cointegration tests such as Pedroni and Kao. Further, CS-ARDL, Feasible Generalized Least Square (FGLS) Driscoll–Kraay (DK) standard errors, and Pairwise Dumitrescu and Hurlin panel causality test were applied. It was found that gender-based DFI and women's empowerment have a significant role in poverty reduction. They both influence positively in increasing household consumption. Moreover, inflation in the economy negatively influences poverty reduction. Access to financial independence among women can enable them to improve their bargaining power in households. Access to banks can increase their access to capital and lead to entrepreneurial activities. Hence, it is creating a more inclusive and sustainable development society. Further, the causality test findings suggested a bi-directional causal relationship between GDFI and poverty reduction, female labour force participation (FLP) and poverty reduction, and a unidirectional relationship between inflation and poverty reduction. The findings imply that enhancing gender-based digital financial inclusion (GDFI) and women's empowerment can significantly contribute to poverty reduction by increasing household consumption and financial independence.

LAND CONTROL AND POVERTY STATUS OF FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN NIGERIA

Poverty is pervasive among the majority of farming households in Nigeria, particularly affecting small-scale farmers. Having gained access to land, control over the land held is very important in improving the quality of life as it plays a vital role in poverty reduction among small scale farmers. This study examined the relationship between land control and poverty status of farming households in Nigeria. The Nigeria General Household Survey (GHS) 2018 was used. Analytical tools used include descriptive statistics, Land Control Index (LCI), Ordered probit regression and Logit regression models. From the results, majority of the Nigerian farmers were male (84.6%) with a mean age of 50±15years, and 81.1% were married, having a mean household size of 7±4 persons. The mean farm size held by the households was 4.42±14.9ha. Farming households had access to the highest proportion (62.79%) of their plots by inheritance, still showing the dominance of inheritance as a means of land access in Nigeria. Also, households had access to 11.80% of the plots by outright purchase, 11.20% by rent in cash or kind (farm produce), and 0.64% by sharecropping; these underscore the growing rural land market in Nigeria. Majority (88.8%) of the households had no control over all the plots of farmlands held (LCI=0) while 6.03% had total control of the plots of farmlands held (LCI=1). This implies that majority can only carry out farming activities (having use right) on the farmland and did not possess legal documents for the land (not able to dispose of the land). The mean household expenditure on food and non-food were ₦8,609.37 and ₦12,587.08, respectively. The mean total expenditure was ₦18,809.20(±10444.45) and the poverty line was ₦8,433.34. The poverty incidence was 41.03%; 41.03% were poor while 58.97% were non-poor. Location of household in the rural sector, especially in the North East, South West, and South East, was significantly positive in determining the level of land control by farming households at 1%. At 10% level of significance, low land control (HCI≤0.25) and medium land control (HCI=0.51-0.75) would significantly increase the likelihood of the household being non-poor by 27.4% and 33.6%, respectively. Land control positively influences the poverty status of the farming households in Nigeria; farming households with low land control can increase their chances of being non-poor. Rural farmers should be encouraged to obtain legal documents on their land to facilitate higher level of control.

The Struggle for Dignity and Economic Opportunity: A Study of Poverty and Gender Inequality in a Marginalized Community in Tamil Nadu

Abstract: The Arunthathiyar community in Tamil Nadu, historically marginalized and socially excluded, faces significant challenges in accessing economic opportunities, which exacerbates their vulnerability to poverty. As a Dalit group, the Arunthathiyars have been subjected to caste-based discrimination, limiting their access to education, employment, land, and financial resources. This paper examines the impact of economic opportunity on poverty reduction in the Arunthathiyar community, with a focus on gendered disparities within this group. The first section analyzes key economic opportunities available to both men and women in the Arunthathiyar community, including access to education, employment, skill development, and microfinance. While economic growth in Tamil Nadu has resulted in some improvements, women within the community continue to face compounded challenges due to both caste and gender discrimination. Limited access to formal financial services, restricted mobility, and societal norms that confine women to unpaid labour hinder their economic participation. The second part of the paper explores successful initiatives that have targeted both caste and gender inequalities, such as government schemes for skill development, women’s self-help groups (SHGs), and microcredit programs tailored to Dalit women. These programs have enabled women in the Arunthathiyar community to access economic opportunities, improve household incomes, and gain greater autonomy, thereby contributing to poverty alleviation. The paper concludes by arguing that addressing both caste and gender-based barriers is crucial for fostering sustainable poverty reduction. Empowering Arunthathiyar women through enhanced economic opportunities can lead to long-term social and economic mobility, benefiting both the community and broader society in Tamil Nadu.

The Poverty Alleviation Role of the “Insurance+Futures” Pattern—Evidence from 10 Chinese Provinces

This paper sorts out the poverty reduction mechanism of the “insurance+futures” pattern and uses actual data from the top 10 provinces in China with the highest underwriting value in the “insurance+futures” pattern since 2016 to test it by a panel data model. The results show that the “insurance+futures” pattern has a significant effect on reducing poverty. By replacing the proxy variable for the dependent variable and changing the samples for testing, the results remained significantly valid, demonstrating the robustness of the conclusion.

THE ROLE OF WAQF IN REBUILDING POST-COVID-19 SOCIETIES: A CASE STUDY APPROACH

Global societies have been significantly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased socioeconomic disparities and put a tremendous burden on the social welfare, health, and educational systems. An effective tool for post-pandemic recovery and sustainable development in this setting is the Islamic endowment system known as Waqf. Using a case study methodology, this research investigates the function of Waqf in reconstructing post-COVID-19 society, emphasizing its use in tackling important issues including healthcare, educational reform, and poverty reduction. The paper illustrates how these institutions responded to the challenges of the pandemic and enhanced community resilience by examining effective Waqf models from different geographical areas. It also looks at how Waqf's influence may be increased in a world that is changing quickly through the use of novel financial structures, policy reform, and digital transformation. In order to assess Waqf's role in addressing post-COVID-19 societal challenges, the study uses a qualitative case study methodology, analyzing data from documented Waqf initiatives, stakeholder interviews, and secondary literature. The findings highlight the necessity of collaborative governance frameworks involving governments, religious institutions, and civil society in order to maximize Waqf's role in fostering equitable and sustainable post-pandemic recovery. Policymakers and stakeholders are given recommendations on how to incorporate Waqf into broader recovery strategies, making sure that it is in line with long-term development objectives and modern societal demands

Are Social Dimensions Crucial for Sustainability?: A Conceptual Overview

 Purpose: The objective of the present chapter is to understand the concept of social dimensions, its scope and necessity from modern organization point of view. Attempts have been made to discuss the importance of developing sustainability from social dimensions point of view, in the organizations, influence of sustainability on modern business. Efforts have also been made to know the global aspects of social dimensions of sustainability and also contemporary issues in C.S.R to understand it’s significance for meeting the future orientation in the modern era of business.  Design/Methodology/Style: Based on rich organizational experience, the researcher has tried to explore that whether there is any significance of social dimensions in sustainability in the organizations. The researcher has reviewed 25 studies on the issue and made his efforts to find out the significance of social dimensions of sustainability in the organizations.  Findings The findings revealed that, the social dimensions are essentials for sustainability in the organizations. Various social dimensions were discussed such as poverty reduction, societal investment, supportive communities, individuals and governments collision towards environmental sustainability. Certain aspects such as cooperation, transparency, openness, accessibility were also taken into consideration. Human health, labor, democratic participation, resiliency, biological and cultural diversity, equity, and ethics were elaborated. In addition to the above, business, politics, geography, forestry, urban & regional planning and corporate social responsibility were also touched. Important aspects such as human health, local environment, public economic situation and quality of life were discussed in detail. The importance of miscellaneous issues such as pertinency of the environment, social and governance was noticed. Further, issues concerning human well-being such as hunger and poverty, health, academic achievement, equal access to energy supply, sustainable cities, peace and justice were also discussed.  Originality/Value This study has tried to check out the relation between social dimensions and sustainability from organizational point of view. Besides, this study adds to scholars’ to understand which kind of influence the social dimensions have on the organization. This conceptual study demonstrated that many social dimensions of sustainability have not been touched in the reviewed studies which provides a basis for application of this issue in future.

:Quantitative Models for Poverty Alleviation Using Transactional, Educational, and Housing Data

Abstract: This research presents a comprehensive data-driven framework for poverty alleviation in the Indian context by integrating transactional behavior, educational outcomes, and housing stability into predictive analytical models. Recognizing the limitations of traditional income-based or survey-driven poverty assessments, this study leverages multivariate regression, machine learning classifiers, and unsupervised clustering techniques to generate granular poverty risk scores and identify hidden vulnerability patterns across Indian states. Using simulated data across 20 states, the models demonstrate high accuracy and interpretability, enabling targeted classification of households and regions at risk. Geospatial mapping reveals concentrated poverty risk in states like Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal, offering insights for region-specific interventions. The proposed approach provides a scalable, policy-relevant toolkit for central and state governments, NGOs, and development agencies to implement real-time, precision-driven strategies for inclusive development and welfare distribution. Keywords: poverty alleviation, India, transactional data, educational outcomes, housing insecurity, machine learning, data-driven policy, risk scoring, geospatial poverty mapping, regional inequality, multidimensional poverty, welfare analytics, socioeconomic modeling, government planning poverty modeling, data integration, machine learning, transactional data, educational data, housing insecurity, poverty prediction, social welfare analytics, geospatial poverty mapping, policy simulation, multidimensional poverty, interpretability, intervention targeting, real-time poverty monitoring

Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Social Grants and Economic Sufficiency

Entrepreneurship is crucial in promoting innovation, job creation, and poverty alleviation, particularly in developing economies. This study adopts a mixed-methods approach, using quantitative and qualitative analysis to examine macroeconomic factors’ impact on entrepreneurial activity. The quantitative analysis utilises fully modified least squares and dynamic ordinary least squares to estimate long-run relationships, while the qualitative component applies thematic analysis to assess the role of school-based gardening initiatives in promoting students’ economic participation. Our findings indicate that government expenditure on education significantly enhances entrepreneurship, whereas access to credit remains ineffective, suggesting persistent barriers in financial intermediation. Labour force participation shows a positive relationship with entrepreneurship, supporting the idea that a more engaged labour force promotes business creation. The findings also show a negative impact of regulatory quality on entrepreneurship, stressing the need for regulatory reforms to reduce entry barriers. While technology adoption has a delayed effect, long-term investments in digital infrastructure are recommended. At the micro-level, school-based entrepreneurship programs, such as vegetable gardening, cultivate entrepreneurial skills, though sustainability depends on consistent support and resources. Based on these findings, this study suggests the need to enhance education, improve access to finance, and streamline regulatory frameworks to promote entrepreneurship.

Facilitating Synergy in Establishing a Caritas Demo Farm for Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program for Agri-Scholars

Introduction: This research provides a thorough needs assessment for the proposed Caritas Agroforestry Eco-Demo Farm, which is intended to benefit Agriculture Scholars in the Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program (YSLEP). Caritas Manila, Inc., a renowned Catholic Church-affiliated nonprofit organization, is dedicated to addressing social welfare issues and poverty reduction in the Philippines. Central Philippines State University (CPSU) has collaborated with Caritas on this significant project to further its mission of providing accessible, high-quality education. Objectives: This research looks into the creation of the Caritas Demo Farm, with a primary focus on agricultural education and community development. The research objectives included clarifying roles and responsibilities, identifying and mitigating challenges, assessing sustainability prospects, and making recommendations for similar initiatives. Methods: The Caritas Manila, Inc., the Diocese of Kabankalan, and CPSU held a focused group discussion (FGD) to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the specific needs and services required for this collaborative endeavor. Results: Key findings highlight the central theme of Collaborative Partnership, emphasizing all stakeholders' unwavering commitment to empowering youth in agriculture. The vision of CARITAS Manila, Inc. to produce 1,000 agriculture graduates and provide scholarships highlights the critical importance of Educational Empowerment. Inclusion in Education broadens opportunities for students pursuing related programs, while rigorous Scholar Selection and Screening processes ensure excellence. Timely Academic Support is critical for scholar success. Environmental Sustainability is prioritized, with the project contributing to food security and environmental protection. Sustainable practices such as soil testing, agroforestry development, and irrigation systems demonstrate the project's dedication to environmental stewardship. Conclusions: The role of technology and expertise in effectively addressing challenges is critical.Recommendations include formalizing partnerships through Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs), enhancing scholar support, broadening scholarship opportunities, maximizing practical learning experiences, emphasizing environmental sustainability, integrating technology, and preparing future agricultural consultants. In conclusion, this study offers vital insights into the collaborative establishment of the Caritas Demo Farm, providing a well-defined roadmap for agricultural education, sustainability, and community development. The partnership exemplifies a resolute commitment to empowering youth and addressing pressing agricultural challenges, with the potential to catalyze positive change in the sector and beyond.