Rural Agricultural Sector Research Articles

How efficient are Indian banks? An application of stochastic frontier analysis

Purpose This study aims to investigate the efficiency of Indian commercial banks from 2002 to 2018 using the stochastic frontier analysis. Design/methodology/approach This study uses the parametric approach of the stochastic frontier to examine the technical efficiency of banks acknowledging exogenous shocks, omitted variables and measurement errors, filling a gap in the existing financial literature. The scope of this study was constrained to 71 scheduled commercial banks to make it manageable and productive with 1,036 observations. Findings The results show that the mean technical efficiency of new private banks remained constant at 92.7% during the study period because of technology diffusion in banking systems. The technical efficiency of the nationalized, old private and foreign banks has enhanced over the period because of the efficient utilization of various innovative information technology services such as mobile banking, cheque truncation system, magnetic ink character recognition. However, the foreign banks are still laggards with a mean technical efficiency of 81.7%. The empirical findings suggest that new private sector banks depict higher efficiency than nationalized, old private and foreign banks. Research limitations/implications This study’s sample represents all categories of banks (public, private and foreign) including the banks that merged or consolidated during the period of study. To achieve the desired results, the authors incorporate the consolidated and merged banks in their data set. Further, the authors excluded all scheduled small finance banks and scheduled payment banks from their analysis, as these entities commenced operations post-2015. Additionally, the authors also excluded regional rural banks because of their distinct mandate aimed at servicing the rural populace and agricultural sector. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature on the performance of conventional banks in general and emerging markets, in particular, using the most recent data and covering a relatively long period using the stochastic frontier approach.

Decongesting Anambra State metropolis: Exploring the pull and push factors of urbanisation and rural development

This study examined the state of congestion in Anambra State metropolis and its effect on the development of the rural areas of the State. Data for the study were generated through the documentary and participant observation methods of data generation. These data were analysed with the content analysis tool. Anchored on the push-pull model of migration, the study found among others that congestion in Onitsha, Awka and Nnewi is a result of an influx of people from other parts of the State, considered rural, into the metropolis because of lack of social infrastructure, employment opportunities and empowerment from the three tiers of government, in the hope of enjoying these benefits in the urban areas. As a result, the study recommended social infrastructural revamp in the whole rural parts of Anambra State; creating rural area-based entrepreneurship development schemes and agricultural sector empowerment for agricultural rejuvenation to keep the rural dwellers comfortable and gainfully engaged.

Energizing the Next Generation and Strengthening the Agriculture Sector: Validating Key Indicators for Farm Exit in Sri Lanka

Rural farmers in Sri Lanka face considerable challenges that often lead to the abandonment of farming activities, posing significant implications for agricultural sustainability and rural livelihoods. This study aims to explore the critical risk factors associated with farmers ceasing agricultural activities in Sri Lanka, addressing a gap in existing literature by focusing specifically on rural areas within the country. Employing in-depth interviews conducted across three subregions of Sri Lanka, a series of 14 comprehensive interviews is conducted until data saturation is achieved. Thematic analysis of the interview data reveals 14 sub-themes and four interconnected main themes: the unpredictable nature of farming, scarcity of agricultural land, and social perception of farming, along with the lack of government assistance. Additionally, insights into why younger generations are increasingly leaving agriculture were uncovered. The findings underscore the urgent need for policymakers' involvement in addressing these issues to enhance farmers’ well-being and mitigate attrition in the rural agricultural sector. This study contributes to the understanding of the factors determining farmer exit from rural agriculture in Sri Lanka and highlights the importance of targeted interventions to support sustainable rural livelihoods.

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF POULTRY FARMING IN NORTHERN MALAYSIA: A CASE STUDY ON RURAL COMMUNITY IN KEDAH

The rural agriculture sector in Malaysia is vital to the economy because it employs many. Agriculture employs 3.5 million Malaysians and amounts for 9.1% of GDP, according to Statistics Malaysia (2019). Malaysian poultry farming is vital to rural income and jobs. Poultry farmers must grasp market dynamics and prepare strategically to succeed in animal production. A socioeconomically challenged group was used to evaluate rural Malaysian chicken raising practices. The case study demonstrated how these principles apply pragmatically to similar groups. The study collected qualitative data via in-person interviews. Interview covered poultry producers' issues and data was analyzed accordingly. Results indicated that lack of extension agents, technical expertise, budgetary constraints, and communication infrastructure hinder poultry breeding farmers. These challenges drove them to forsake their poultry farm and focused on rubber tapping as the main source of income. The latter strategy is less profitable but less laborious and cheaper. The study analyzed how community empowerment sustains rural development. To enhance rural areas, policymakers and development practitioners must understand community-led activities and create focused policies. Further research should study how government agencies might boost rural economic activity and supply chain efficiency.

INNOVATIVE MARKETING STRATEGIES FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN BELAGAVI RURAL.

This research explores and evaluates innovative marketing strategies tailored for the unique context of Belagavi Rural's agricultural sector. The study investigates the challenges and opportunities in marketing agricultural products in this specific region, considering factors such as local traditions, consumer preferences, and distribution challenges. By analyzing successful case studies and incorporating insights from key stakeholders, the research aims to identify effective strategies that can enhance the market presence and profitability of agricultural products in Belagavi Rural. The findings of this study contribute valuable insights to marketers, policymakers, and businesses seeking to optimize their approach in rural agricultural markets. Key words: Agricultural products, Belagavi Rural, Marketing strategies, Rural marketing, Innovation

Digital Technology Adoption and Potential in Southeast Asian Agriculture

While the rural agriculture sector has traditionally been seen as backward relative to the urban industrial and services sectors, it is a potential “low-hanging fruit” ripe for a much-needed digital transformation for agricultural development. ASEAN has seen a U-turn in progress in addressing undernourishment as early as 2014–16, owing to multiple factors. These include climate change which impacts have led to a slowdown in agricultural yield growth amidst growing consumption requirements. Digital technologies are important in adapting the agriculture sector to climate change and rising demand for it to serve as a key sector for food security, income, trade, and employment in the region. However, adoption of digital technologies in agriculture within the region is still relatively nascent, partly because of a general lack of understanding of such technologies and how they contribute to agricultural development. Also lacking is a common framework for understanding and classifying the relevance of such technologies. Thus, this article proposes a common framework and narrates how it was developed and used in facilitating discussions that helped develop the 2021 ASEAN Guidelines on Promoting the Utilization of Digital Technologies for ASEAN Food and Agricultural Sector. We draw insights from our earlier work on the state of adoption of digital technologies in agriculture in the region and give an overview of key challenges and policy opportunities for scaling up.

Hubungan Kerja Petani dan Buruh Tani dalam Meningkatkan Kesejahteraan di Desa Klompangan, Ajung, Jember

This research focuses on the employment contract relationship between land-owning farmers and farm workers in Klompangan Village, Ajung District. The goal is to understand how land ownership and management structures affect life and the economy of both. Agriculture in Klompangan Village acts as a provider of employment and a source of income, as well as an important element in the social and economic structure. The research method uses a qualitative approach with case studies, involving field observations and in-depth interviews with farmers who own land and farm workers. The research results show a symbiotic relationship between the two. Farmers who own land need farm laborers to work on land they cannot work on themselves, while farm laborers need access to the land to earn income. This mutual dependence affects the well-being and economy of both, including income, living conditions, and job security. The ultimate goal of this research is to provide insight into how agricultural workers can prosper with fair wage distribution and cooperation between both parties in the rural agricultural sector, which contributes to stability and shared prosperity.
 

Transforming food systems: a gendered perspective on local agricultural innovation in Cuba.

Compared to many countries, Cuba has made significant progress in advancing women's rights and gender equity; however, disparities remain. In the country's rural communities and agricultural sector, women continue to face barriers to equal participation and recognition for the value of their work. This case study shares the story of gender equity efforts that have been conducted within the framework of a broader development project-the Project to Strengthen a System of Innovation in Local Agricultural Development (PIAL, for its initials in Spanish). PIAL began in 2001 as a participatory plant-breeding initiative aimed at increasing the genetic diversity of key crops such as maize and beans. Over the course of two decades, the project's goals expanded to include an emphasis on increasing women's participation. In the beginning, those efforts focused on including women in the participatory plant-breeding activities, which enabled them to prioritize traits they cared about such as grain texture, cooking speed, and taste in the selection process. Over time, the participatory nature of the PIAL methodology empowered women to identify and pursue capacity-building in other areas of local agricultural innovation. While PPB remained central to PIAL, women also chose to pursue opportunities in seed bank management, leadership training, and small-scale farm-based entrepreneurship. The results of the PIAL work on gender have included not just more inclusive plant breeding, but also important economic improvements for rural women as they have been able to diversify their livelihoods, and social change as they have gained confidence and recognition as leaders in their households, communities, and beyond.

The impact of the repercussions of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the rural agricultural sector from farmer's point of view in Egypt

استهدفت هذه الدراسة بصفة رئيسية دراسة أثر تداعيات جائحة فيروس كورونا (كوفيد- 19) على القطاع الريفي المزرعي من وجهة نظر الزراع المبحوثين في مصر وقد انحصرت وسائل تحقيق هذا الهدف في الأهداف الفرعية التالية، التعرف على بعض الخصائص الشخصية المميزة للزراع المبحوثين، تحديد مستويات تقدير الزراع المبحوثين لأثر تداعيات جائحة كورونا على القطاع الريفي المزرعي متضمنة كل من (البعد الإنتاجي المزرعي، والبعد الاتصالي الإرشادي، والبعد الاقتصادي التسويقي)، التعرف على مقترحات الزراع المبحوثين للحد من آثار جائحة فيروس كورونا على القطاع المزرعي الريفي في مصر. تمثلت شاملة الدراسة والبالغ عددهم 4540 مزارع، في جميع زراع القرى الثمانية محل الدراسة وهي قريتي الأبعادية، ونديبة بمركز دمنهور، وكوم زمران، والمسين بمركز الدلنجات بمحافظة البحيرة، وقريتي سمالوط، ومغاغة بمركز ملوي، وبنى عبيد، وأبيوها بمركز أبو قرقاص بمحافظة المنيا، وتم اختيار عينة عرضية منهم بنسبة 5% ممثلة من مجموع الزراع وبذلك بلغ عدد مفردات العينة البحثية 130 مبحوثاً من محافظة البحيرة، و97 مبحوثاً من محافظة المنيا. ليصبح مجموع عينة الدراسة من الزراع المبحوثين 227 مبحوثاً. تمثلت أهم النتائج فيما يلى: اتضح أن ما يربو عن نصف الزراع المبحوثين (51.98%) من فئة مرتفعي إجمالي درجة تقديرهم للآثار السلبية لفيروس كورونا على القطاع المزرعي الريفي، بينما أحتل ما يقرب من الثلث (34.36%) من الزراع المبحوثين فئة متوسطي إجمالي درجة تقديرهم للآثار السلبية لفيروس كورونا على القطاع الريفي المزرعي، في حين كانت نسبة الزراع من فئة منخفضي إجمالي درجة تقديرهم للآثار السلبية لفيروس كورونا على القطاع المزرعي الريفي 13.66%.

The State Of Financial Inclusion For Agriculture In Indonesia

<p class="Els-Abstract-text"><em>Financial inclusion is an important component in the process of social and economic inclusion, in order to boost economic growth, create financial system stability, support poverty alleviation, and reduce the gaps among people and regions. Based on the report of The Global Financial Inclusion Index (Findex) 2017, Indonesia as a developing economics received mainly in cash for the agricultural payments, than into an account. In the other hand, based on report of Financial Inclusion Insights Indonesia 2020, relate to account ownership by livelihood, account ownership is lowest in the agriculture sector and highest among professional and government workers. Digitizing payments for workers in the agricultural and informal sectors is an important means of expanding financial inclusion. Making agricultural payments through mobile phones could be especially helpful for unbanked farmers living in remote rural areas – many of whom have access to a phone. To improve financial inclusion for rural area and those who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, the following policy measures should be pursued namely develop pilot that can help test the potential of these strategies. We also need to build transparent pricing platforms that provide smallholders with a full understanding. Strengthening financial inclusion as strategies initiatives that have proven to support the rural areas and agricultural sector. These initiatives would be important not only for facilitating the reallocation of resources to the rural, but also, and equally important, to promote rapid productivity growth within these sectors.</em></p>

First report of aeroponically grown Bambara groundnut, an African indigenous hypogeal legume: Implications for climate adaptation

Global agricultural production is currently limited by negative climate-related hazards such as drought, uneven rainfall and rising temperatures. Many efforts have been put in place by government and non-government agencies to mitigate the challenges of climate change in the sector. However, the approaches do not seem feasible due to the growing demand for food. With these challenges, climate-smart agricultural technologies such as aeroponics and underutilised crops have been projected as the future of agriculture in developing African countries to reduce the risk of food insecurity. In this paper, we present the cultivation of an underutilised indigenous African legume crop, Bambara groundnut, in an aeroponics system. Seventy Bambara groundnut landraces were cultivated in a low-cost climate-smart aeroponics system and in sawdust media. The results showed that Bambara groundnut landraces cultivated in aeroponics performed better than those cultivated in a traditional hydroponics (sawdust/drip irrigation) technique in terms of plant height and chlorophyll content, where the landraces cultivated in sawdust had a higher number of leaves than those cultivated in aeroponics. This study also demonstrated the feasibility of introducing a generic Internet of Things platform for climate-smart agriculture in developing countries. The proof-of-concept and the successful cultivation of a hypogeal crop in aeroponics can be useful for cost-effective adaptation and mitigation plans for climate change, particularly for food security in rural African agricultural sectors.

Impact of Institutional Agricultural Credit on Agriculture Sector Growth and Rural Unemployment in Pakistan

This research article studies the impact of credit given by different financial institutions to farmers for agricultural development and its impact on rural unemployment rate covering the data sample from 1990 to 2021. Agriculture sector is the main sector of Pakistan’s economy. It provides employment to 43.7 % of total labor force and its contribution in GDP of Pakistan is 22%. This study analyze the impact of institutional agricultural credit provided by ZTBL, COP and CB, Infrastructure, GDP and total cropped area (TCA) on Rural Unemployment rate and agriculture sector and the impact of rural unemployment rate on agriculture sector growth. For this purpose, time series secondary data from 1990 to 2022 is used. ADF test estimate that RU, ZTBL, COP, CB, INFRA, GDP and TCA is stationary at First difference and AG is stationary at level. To estimate the impact of ZTBL, COP, CB, INFRA, GDP and TCA Toda and Yamamoto Technique is used and find out that all the variables individually as well as jointly has impact on RU. RU has unidirectional causality with CB, INFRA and TCA while the causality of RU with ZTBL, COP and GDP is bi-directional.

Agricultural Transformation for Small (Island and Developing) States

Agriculture in the development literature has been postulated as providing impetus for urban industrialization through its role in capital accumulation. While large states with concomitant large export potential of agricultural surpluses may subscribe to this paradigm and may also allow growth of a rural agricultural sector in parallel with an urban industrial sector, small states find it difficult to use the agriculture sector as a springboard toward national economic growth by virtue of size limitations. Small states require alternate capitalization modalities to grow their economies, and some have sidelined agriculture in favor of urban activities, such as manufacturing, finance, banking, and tourism. It is plausible, based on demonstrated successes like Singapore, that structural transformation may take a path in which the agriculture sector is initially sacrificed in favor of more high value urban activities. Since its independence in 1965, Singapore made policy decisions to focus on developing its non-agriculture sectors such as finance, banking, and entrepôt trade. In 1983, the country even reduced its agricultural activities to less than one percent of land area located in six agrotechnology parks. Capital accumulation through the non-agriculture sectors proceeded to consequently make its GDP per capita one of the highest in the world. However, the country did a “U-turn” in the 2010s to re-invest in agriculture, but through high-tech farming, such as indoor plant factories, indoor aquaculture, and alternative (novel) proteins. The increased level of food self-production is strongly augmented by importing food from over 170 countries in diverse geographic regions, so as to confer supply resilience. This alternate development pathway, which emphasizes urban industrialization, may serve as a “leapfrogging” model for small cities and small developing states in a contemporary, technology-enabled landscape.

Health insurance coverage in Ethiopia: financial protection in the Era of sustainable cevelopment goals (SDGs)

BackgroundHealth insurance is among the healthcare financing reforms proposed to increase the available healthcare resources and to decrease the risk of household financial crisis. Recently, Ethiopia has been implementing community-based health insurance which mainly targets the very large rural agricultural sector and small and informal sector in urban settings. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the coverage of health insurance and its determinants in Ethiopia.MethodsData were extracted from the 2019 mini Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) to assess determinants of health insurance coverage in Ethiopia. The analysis included a weighted sample of 8663 respondents. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted and the results were presented as adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at 95% confidence interval (CI), statistical significance was declared at a p-value < 0.05 in all analyses.ResultsThe health insurance coverage in Ethiopia was 28.1% (95%CI: 27.2%, 29%). Administration regions (Tigray: AOR = 16.9, 95%CI: 5.53, 51.59, Amhara: AOR = 25.8, 95%CI: 8.52, 78.02, Oromia, AOR = 4.27, 95%CI: 1.41, 12.92, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples region, AOR = 4.06, 95%CI: 1.34, 12.32, Addis Ababa, AOR = 4.65, 95%CI: 1.46, 14.78), place of residence (rural, AOR = 1.38, 95%CI: 1.17, 1.63), sex of household head (male; AOR = 1.23, 95%CI: 1.07, 1.41), wealth index (middle, AOR = 1.75, 95%CI: 1.46, 2.09, richer, AOR = 1.86, 95%CI: 1.55, 2.24), family size (≥ 5 members, AOR = 1.17, 95%CI: 1.03, 1.33), having under-five children (AOR = 1.22, 95%CI: 1.076, 1.38), and age of household head (31–40 years, AOR = 1.71, 95%CI: 1.45, 2.01, 41–64 years, AOR = 2.49, 95%CI: 2.12, 2.92, 65 + years, AOR = 2.43, 95%CI: 2.01, 2.93) were factors associated with health insurance coverage.ConclusionsLess than one-third of Ethiopians were covered by health insurance. Socio-economic factors and demographic factors were found to associate with health insurance coverage in Ethiopia. Therefore, enhancing health insurance coverage through contextualized implementation strategies would be emphasized.

Inclusive crowdfunding scheme as capital source alternative for rural agriculture in Indonesia

Fundraising through crowdfunding has great potential for agriculture sector capital, considering that the agriculture sector plays an important role in the economy and public welfare. The purpose of this study is to capture the existing condition of inclusive crowdfunding in Indonesia, and also aims to develop an inclusive crowdfunding scheme as an alternative capital for the rural agriculture sector in Indonesia. The slow development and participation of the public in crowdfunding in Indonesia is allegedly due to the low level of public literacy related to crowdfunding. A survey of financial literacy and inclusion in Indonesia states that people in Indonesia have low financial literacy index. The crowdfunding scheme recommended for the rural agriculture sector in Indonesia is combination of donation and debt-based crowdfunding (prosocial lending based), where crowd-investors will provide soft loans (zero interest). Meanwhile, the debtor who receives the funds must submit the participation funds to the crowdfunding platform, where it will be returned after the soft loans are paid off (adopting cooperation). Based on the results and discussions, it is recommended to the relevant stakeholders (government, academics, and further researchers) to support and make efforts to improve public financial literacy through their respective capacities.

Analisis Karakteristik dan Peran Strategi Migrasi Domestik dan Internasional pada Penghidupan Rumah Tangga Migran (Studi Kasus: Desa Padas, Desa Jono, dan Desa Gawan, Kecamatan Tanon, Kabupaten Sragen)

Migration for rural communities is part of an adaptation strategy to deal with stresses and risks to their livelihoods. In fact, the rural agricultural sector is formidable compared to other sectors because it can survive and increase significantly even though the economy is being disrupted due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. This study aimed to analyze the role of migration strategies carried out by migrant households in Padas Village, Jono Village, and Gawan Village. The sustainable livelihood framework becomes a reference for assessing comprehensive household livelihood. This research uses a case study approach. In-depth data collection is carried out on migrants and migrant families with various migration characteristics. The results show that the migration strategy that occurs in Padas Village, Jono Village, and Gawan Village is influenced by the time of migration, differences in resources/livelihood capital characteristics, the context of vulnerability to livelihoods, and the migration strategy conducted. At the regional scale, although there are differences in the characteristics of resources/livelihood capital between the three villages, the role of migration remains the same. Meanwhile, the role of the migration strategy can be seen more clearly based on the time of migration that occurred in the three villages.

How flood affects rural employment in India: A gender analysis

It is widely accepted that natural disasters adversely affect agricultural production. Still, less is known about how disasters affect employment patterns in the long run, particularly the gender-differentiated impacts of such weather-related shocks in developing countries. Using employment and flood damage data, this study analyses how floods affect rural employment in 15 major states of India for 1983–2011. In addition, we examine the magnitude of the impact of floods on gender-wise employment in the rural agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. The empirical estimates suggest that flood damage affects female agricultural employment more negatively than male agricultural employment in the long run, controlling for crucial employment determinants. Furthermore, women suffer disproportionately in obtaining employment in the non-agricultural sector in the aftermath of floods. Thus, we conclude that flood damage creates differential impacts on employment by gender, with female agricultural workers more adversely affected than male workers.

Evaluating mutual impacts of Agricultural Growth and Inequality in Iran's Rural area divided to Provinces with Amenity and Deprived: Simultaneous Equations of Panel Data Approach

Purpose- Income distribution inequity in low income societies spreads poverty faster therefore it is essential to indicate the relation between economic growth and income distribution in low income societies like rural societies which gain income through agricultural activities. On the other hand, recent studies show that societies amenity or deprivation is effective on the relation between growth and income distribution. So the aim of this study is to indicate the relation between rural income distribution and Iran agricultural sector growth dividing to regions with amenity or deprived. Design/methodology/approach - Due to economic literature income distribution and economic growth has interactional effect on each other and the relation between them is different in regions with amenity and deprived. To explain the relation between rural income distribution and agricultural sector growth in this study two equations are introduced, the first equation analyzes the effective factors on agricultural sector growth and the second equation examine the factors determining rural income inequality. These equations are estimated by provincial data divided to regions with amenity and deprived during 2008-2016 and simultaneous equations approach of panel data is used. Finding-The results show that, in low amenity and deprived provinces agricultural sector growth reduces the inequality while agricultural sector growth has no significant effect on inequality in provinces with amenity. Also inequality increase lead to economic growth in deprived regions, but in regions with amenity the effect of inequality on growth is not significant. Besides, the results of estimation imply that government's expenditure in provinces increase rural income inequality and development expenditure only in deprived and low amenity provinces cause rural income inequality decrease and in other rural is not significant on inequality index. Practical implications- Based on the results of this study and in order to reduce rural income inequality and the growth of agricultural sector, it is necessary to consider the distribution of public facilities and infrastructure in order to enjoy deprived and low amenity rural regions.

Effects of COVID-19 on Regional and Gender Equality in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Nigeria and Ethiopia

The labor structure in sub-Saharan Africa is characterized by a high share of informal employment in the rural agricultural sector. The impact of COVID-19 on female employment may not appear to be large as the share of such employment is particularly high among women. Nevertheless, widespread income reduction was observed both in rural and urban households. This could worsen the opportunities for women as husbands’ control over the household resource is the norm. The paper also finds that rural children struggled to continue learning during school closures. Gender-sensitive policies are needed to narrow the gap during and post-pandemic.

Minimum wage, firm dynamics, and wage inequality: Theory and evidence​

This paper investigates the distributive and welfare impacts of increasing minimum wage in an economy with imperfect competition. In the short run without entry/exit of manufacturing firms, an increase in the urban minimum wage reduces the skilled–unskilled wage gap but worsens unemployment and welfare in the economy. In the long run, a higher minimum wage induces firms to exit the urban manufacturing sector, thereby releasing capital to the rural agricultural sector. This can yield double dividends by further narrowing wage inequality and improving social welfare. Empirical results based on data from 43 selected countries confirm our theoretical findings.