Search

This study aims to explore the influence of non-government organizations (NGOs) on innovation and value creation at the bottom of the pyramid (BoP). We thoroughly examined numerous case studies. We chose six NGOs in India and collected data through interviews and secondary sources. The research findings indicate that NGOs operating in developing countries have a higher tendency to create sustainable business models that effectively empower communities at the BoP. In addition, these NGOs have the potential to enhance traditional rural clusters in order to promote inclusive growth, generate value at the BoP through innovation and develop the capacity of communities at the BoP. This study adds to the existing body of literature by examining the quadruple helix model in the context of BoP communities, specifically looking at the involvement of NGOs. In addition, we present a conceptual framework for examining the impact of NGOs on innovation and value creation at the BoP within the quadruple helix ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India's goal of becoming a USD 7 trillion economy by 2030 and a developed country by 2047 has made it pertinent to closely investigate its efforts towards mitigation of poverty particularly in the deliberation of its remarkable economic growth path. Against this background, this paper aims to probe into India's journey in battling poverty and inequality. The paper aims to identify vital lessons learned and evaluate how India's experiences could be relevant to other developing nations by analysing strategies adopted by India. This paper makes an attempt to bring to the forefront India's successes, challenges, lessons learned and policy implications that have emerged through an in-depth study of India's initiatives towards poverty reduction, institutional mechanisms and policy frameworks. Further, the paper seeks to highlight how India could contribute towards global efforts in the eradication of poverty and promotion of equality. The methodology that this paper adopts includes a systematic review approach in which various sources including scholarly literature, policy papers and reports are comprehensively reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Market-based solutions for poverty alleviation at the Bottom of the Pyramid (BoP) have been discussed extensively in the literature. Most BoP producer firms are based out of remote locations and suffer from informational asymmetry and a lack of financial resources. This study looks at three BoP firms through Bartels' theory of market separation to examine whether the adoption of e-commerce helps reduce gaps between producers and consumers. The findings indicate that e-commerce has enabled firms to decrease the spatial, temporal, and informational gaps; however, the effect on the financial gap is yet to be determined. It also recognizes the importance of e-commerce adoption as an effective market-based solution for BoP firms. The findings helped develop a conceptual framework to understand the stages of e-commerce channel adoption by BoP firms. The implications of our findings for theory and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to ascertain the impact of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) growth on wealth creation and its distribution in India concerning macroeconomic variables such as GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per capita, unemployment, Foreign direct investment (FDI), human development index (HDI) and the urban population (URP). The research has examined the underlying short-term association using ECM, FMOLS, DOLS and CCR to estimate the long-run association between the identified variables. It documents a positive relationship between the share of the B50 populace and the FDI. On the other hand, per capita GDP, in the long run, had a negative association with MSME share, URP and HDI. Similarly, for the top 10 percentile (T10) share, there was a positive relationship between MSME share and URP. Therefore, the results document a decentralized wealth creation for an MSME-focused development strategy in the short run to address skewed wealth creation in emerging societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study aims to examine the impact of social assistance schemes introduced by the Indian government on poverty alleviation in urban slums. Design/methodology/approach: To accomplish the study's objectives, primary data were collected from 585 beneficiaries of government schemes operating in India's northwestern state using a multistage sampling technique (Punjab). The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) technique reduced the total dataset to its minimum factors. Then, using second-order confirmatory factor analysis, the data's validity and reliability were determined. The data were analyzed using statistical techniques such as one-way ANOVA, t-test and structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings: The study's findings indicate that social assistance provided by the Government of India has a direct and substantial influence on poverty alleviation in urban slums. The study demonstrates how access to basic credit financial services through social assistance programmes has improved the lives of urban poor households living in slums and assisted them in escaping poverty. Research limitations/implications: The investigation was undertaken among a few limitations. First, the in-depth investigation of the study is restricted to only the northwestern state of India solely because of limited resources and time availability. Second, the study focuses primarily on the perspectives of beneficiaries of the social assistance schemes in India. Still, it might be expanded in the future to include additional stakeholders such as bank executives, business colleagues and municipal town panchayats. Practical implications: Due to policymakers' increased emphasis on poor households living in urban slums, this topic is critical for studying many issues. Social implications: The research explores gaps in social welfare schemes to direct policymakers and government authorities to take appropriate steps to aid the urban poor people in sliding out of poverty. Originality/value: By examining the influence of the Indian government's social welfare schemes on poverty reduction in slums, this study contributes to the literature on public assistance schemes and poverty alleviation. This article can assist policymakers in developing nations in increasing financial capability among disadvantaged urban families on a national and international level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Fintech" refers to the fusion of finance and technology to enhance corporate functions and facilitate the delivery of financial services. This study aims to elucidate the role of financial technology (Fintech) in the advancement of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in India, emphasizing its impact on poverty alleviation. Employing a descriptive research approach with a qualitative framework, the study draws upon a review of literature encompassing published research findings, government websites, and expert insights. The findings suggest that the integration of Fintech within the business landscape can effectively address common challenges faced by MSMEs, contributing to poverty reduction. Poverty, defined as the inability to meet basic needs, requires a clear understanding of these necessities before identifying individuals in need. The study concludes that MSMEs, by customizing Fintech platforms to their unique requirements, experience accelerated growth and prosperity. The implications for MSME players include improved efficiency in sourcing finance, streamlined transaction processing, expanded market reach, and expedited financial reporting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In developing countries, poverty alleviation and development are key policy drivers, and ideally these strategies should align with climate change adaptation and resilience as well. This study explores those challenges through an inductive investigation into the East Kolkata Wetland (EKW), the ‘wise-use’ of wastewater, alignment with climate change adaptation, resilience and poverty alleviation. EKW is a 12,500 ha Ramsar site, close to Kolkata Metropolitan Area in eastern India and connected to Sunderban and the Bay of Bengal. While there are illegal demand-driven developments within EKW, the study explores how planning might provide for development while preserving the critical functions of a wetland. The study addresses three topics: (1) the socio-ecological model; (2) planning approaches to the wetland; and (3) how those might contribute to poverty alleviation. This study of EKW centers on the past and present ecological history of the city and includes analysis of future physical and institutional relations between the city and the wetland. The study benefits from participatory mapping exercises involving indigenous fishing and farming communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Irrigation & Drainage is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The theoretical connection between decentralization and the representation-cum-efficiency advantage in combating poverty has been questioned by empirical evidence. How decentralization shall be integrated with the intervention from higher-level governments in anti-poverty efforts remains unclear. Drawing on the comparison of India (West Bengal), Mexico, and China, this analysis examines the institutional designs of the poverty alleviation programs across the cases, including the selection of recipients, allocation of fiscal resources, and monitoring, and the political dynamics that generate the designs. Despite differences in the level of poverty and political backgrounds preceding the programs, the key contributors to their success in reducing poverty lie in some common factors, including the strong commitment of the ruling authority to poverty reduction, decentralization in beneficiary identification, and centralized arrangements that reduce elite capture and the power of local brokers. These findings advance our understanding of the endogenous political nature of anti-poverty efforts and the importance of integrating devolution with centralized arrangements in the war against poverty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism is a creative instrument for poverty reduction. Pro-Poor Tourism (PPT) provides economic, socio-cultural and even environmental benefits to the globally impoverished community. The main goal of this study is to demystify the constructs of Pro-Poor Tourism and investigate the local community perception regarding the role of tourism in poverty alleviation. The present study attempts to understand the development of pro-poor tourism from social, cultural and economic dimensions by delving into the perceptions of the locally disadvantageous community providing tourism services in the Kashmir region of India. Primary and secondary data have been collected from the targeted respondents through a structured questionnaire for conducting this research. The study areas that have been selected for conducting the present study are Gulmarg (Study Area A) and Pahalgam (Study Area B) from the Kashmir region. The data collected were analysed through descriptive statistics, factor analysis and regression analysis to draw reliable and representative interpretations. The findings of this study may help the strategy makers and other community groups develop effective policy interventions for developing creative tourism practices as an anti-poverty programme that has local and global implications for promoting tourism for Poverty alleviation, ensuring sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The debate pertaining to poverty alleviation and increased employment opportunities for tourism microentrepreneurship has recently emerged as an area of investigation in the spheres of academic research. The role of tourism microentrepreneurship in strengthening rural communities has been researched by various tourism researchers and practitioners across the globe in the last few decades. The present study is aimed towards finding out the stakeholder's perception towards microentrepreneurship as a tool for conserving cultural, natural, and built heritage, particularly in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. To achieve the objectives of this study, a qualitative method has been adopted. The proposed method to investigate stakeholder perception is based on a two-step procedure. The first step identifies the sustainable practices available in the targeted area, and in the second stage current entrepreneurial practices among the microentrepreneurs are investigated through interviews with the respondents to determine the accountability of those practices with sustainable heritage development in the study area. The findings of the study reflect that there is a gap between the microentrepreneurship practices and the sustainable development in the study area. There is also a lack of policies and support from the side of governing bodies. Hence, the study puts forward the fact that despite several challenges, sustainable microentrepreneurship can offer a potential solution to poverty alleviation in the Himalayan region of India. The economic benefits of sustainable micro-entrepreneurship are compelling, and its potential effects on the improvement of the overall lifestyle of stakeholders are equally promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India is one of the fastest growing major economies and has a burgeoning young workforce. The average age in India will be 29 years by 2020. Given the limitations of absorbing growing labor force– especially the unskilled and semi-skilled– in service sector, focus has to be on spurring manufacturing growth to take advantage of this large pool of manpower. The 'Make in India' has a grand vision of creating 100 million jobs by 2021. This ambitious program is designed to turn the subcontinent into a'global manufacturing hub' and increase jobs by providing afresh impetus to the economy. Running high on this momentum, the government has initiated several policies such as 'Skill India' and 'Digital India' to complement 'Make in India'. Attempting to tap this aggressive policy push, stakeholders are focusing on developing right skills to address the growing skill gap in various manufacturing sectors in the context of changing industrial landscape defined by new-age technologies. This chapter will present India's perspective on how country is working towards developing a cohesive environment for 'new-age' manufacturing and 'future ready' manpower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poverty alleviation is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. It has become one of the major concerns for most of the developing countries including India. Tourism is considered as one of the most effective and viable tool for poverty alleviation. Therefore, it becomes critical to understand the tourism-poverty link, if tourism is to be used as a mechanism for reducing poverty. This research is intended to identify various factors of poverty alleviation through tourism; and to study the perception of inhabitants of Leh district of Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir regarding poverty alleviation through tourism and finally to suggest the strategies for pro-poor tourism development in the region. Exploratory factor analysis was done to identify various factors and confirmatory factor analysis was performed to cross validate it. Furthermore, one sample t-test was executed to study the perception of inhabitants on the identified factors. The findings of the study reveal that the tourism plays a significant role in reducing poverty and will help the strategy makers to come up with effective strategies that will promote Pro-poor tourism in study area and other similar regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India’s constitution contains provisions for the ‘right to work’ and the ‘right to movement’ for all citizens. Established in 2005, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is broadly considered to operationalize this ‘right to work’. At the same time, a public discourse persists that views MGNREGA as a substitute for internal labour migration. Drawing on the results from 300 household surveys in three panchayats in the Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu, we test the validity of this discourse in this setting. We find that households that rely exclusively on MGNREGA have different demographic and socioeconomic characteristics compared to households that rely exclusively on remittances from internal labour migration. Furthermore, 20 per cent of households surveyed use both MGNREGA and internal labour migration as complementary livelihood strategies. We argue that there is a need for better understanding and recognition of the complementary potential of MGNREGA and internal labour migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The emphasis on rights that individual citizens can claim from the state represents a significant institutional development for poverty alleviation policies. In India, important legislation was passed in 2005 to guarantee rural households 100 days of work paid at a statutory wage rate. This Right to Work legislation has enabled the implementation of the world’s largest public works program—the “Mahatma Gandhi” National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme or NREGS. This study explores variation in policy outcomes under NREGS within a rural district of North India (Uttar Pradesh). It finds that this variation is the product of the interaction between formal and informal institutions. As such, the demand for work benefits does not emerge spontaneously from self-selecting rural citizens, but is articulated by local elected officials who are pressurised to accommodate demands for rents from the bureaucracy. Specifically, local elected officials are compelled to proceed to a selective activation of the demand for benefits to ensure the generation of a surplus which will form the basis of bureaucratic rent payments. The study relies on qualitative data, specifically interviews with past beneficiaries of the scheme, bureaucrats tasked with policy implementation, and elected village leaders (the Gram Pradhans in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh) to document the conditions under which a surplus is extracted and rent payments made. The study shows that caste and political leadership structures at the local level affect the generation of surpluses and the payment of rents by Gram Pradhans to the bureaucracy. While the Right to Work legislation represents progress for poverty alleviation, policies such as NREGS that emphasize rights and the expression of a demand for benefits need to consider more carefully the conditions under which this demand emerges as well as the ways in which discretionary authority can thwart the goals of public policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this study to analyse relationship between rural entrepreneurship, development, and poverty alleviation. In rural areas, despite trending policies and law many people continue to live below the poverty line. A key solution to this situation is establishment of entrepreneurship in rural areas. These entrepreneurial programs provide income opportunities to the people in rural area, giving them a chance to prove their talent, indigenous activities as well prevent rural to urban migration in search of better chances of livelihood. Increase in rural entrepreneurship goes hand in hand with depreciation in poverty. According to researchers point of view increased awareness in developing and encouraging rural entrepreneurship may reduce poverty from rural India as well as bolster the growth of rural areas, increase their standard of living as well implement more creative and innovative thinking thus laying the frontiers of education in the minds of rural people. In the present study, it has been indicated negative relationship between rural entrepreneurship development and poverty alleviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of public expenditure on economic growth and poverty alleviation in developing countries like India. If poverty and inequality are high, the government may resort to distributive policies at the cost of long-term growth. The distributive policies and poverty alleviation measures fail to achieve success due to lack of good governance, lack of proper targeting and problems in the implementation of such schemes. On the other hand, if the nature of public expenditure is such that it enhances per capita income, it will help reduce poverty. Design/methodology/approach – After analytical digression and construction of hypotheses panel regression has been done using state-level data in the Indian context to empirically verify the above propositions. Both Fixed effects and Random effects models have been used for this purpose. Findings – The results show that in states where ratio of public expenditure on the development of infrastructure such as road, irrigation, power, transport and communication is higher, per capita income is also higher and incidence of poverty is lower indicating that economic growth is important for poverty alleviation and development of infrastructure is necessary for growth. Originality/value – This study demonstrates how public policy and public finance can be used as instruments for removal of poverty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the theoretical aspects of Islamic microfinance and its present status in India. A sophisticated methodology has been followed to realize the objectives of the study. This study is purely based on the information collected from different sources like websites, articles published in reputed national and international journals, newspapers and reputed reference books related to this field. Conventional microfinance system is very effective to alleviate poverty of developing countries. But it could not touch all community of people because of 'interest' component in debt and high degree of interest. Muslims dislike that microfinance which is based on 'interest' as it is strictly prohibited in Islam. Therefore the motto of financial inclusion is out of reach through conventional microfinance. An alternative interest free microfinance model has been developed in some part of world to include all Muslim poor people within the banking system is known as Islamic microfinance. The country India is yet to adopt Islamic microfinance though 20% of total population is Muslim. The author strongly opines that India should adopt Islamic microfinance as a tool for poverty alleviation of Muslims as well as other communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of micro insurance is to ultimately protect poor lives against calamity, threats and other types of eventualities in rural areas. Due to liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation of the Indian economy, private insurers have entered and the business of micro insurance has got force. The public sector insurance companies have focused on taking advantages of the potential of rural India. This paper examines the role of micro insurance in raising growth of rural and poor population in India and also attempts to throw light on the initiatives taken by public and private sector life insurance companies in the improvement of the rural sector and also helps to recognise how micro insurance is supportive in the alleviation of poverty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses the 'input–output analysis' technique to investigate why the Joint Forest Management program in India has expanded while the uptake of the Community-based Forest Management program in the Philippines has been relatively slow. The forward linkage of the forestry sector with downstream industries in the Philippines was found to be weak when compared with India. In contrast, the wood and wood-products industry in the Philippines has strong forward linkage in contrast to that of India. These findings indicate that further research into the supply chain of forest products in the Philippines is needed. Such research may then inform policy to bridge the gap between industrial demand for timber and national forestry production. The paper suggests that while rights-based institutional reforms are essential for promoting community forestry, the long-term success of community forestry may depend on the performance of the forestry sector within the context of the whole economy. An additional finding is that input–output analysis may provide important insights concerning the economic context for the uptake and long-term sustainability of community forestry programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity loss is one of the world's most pressing crises. Biologically rich and unique habitats are being destroyed, fragmented, and degraded due to increasing human population, resource exploitation and environmental pollution. Conservation of forest biodiversity is fundamental for sustaining forests, and supporting the livelihoods of people and their economic well-being. The ecosystem services that benefit the society are improving air quality, climate regulation, carbon sequestration, water purification, pollination, and prevention of erosion, besides provision for useful biomass. Innovative and effective responses are necessary to meet the challenges of forest biodiversity conservation for the well-being of the people. Therefore, it is important to maintain the forests as ecosystem service provider systems for food, timber, energy, and biodiversity. This paper gives an overview of plant biodiversity, biodiversity conservation mechanisms, and carbon storage as an indicator of ecosystem services in forests of the Siwaliks in northern Haryana. The relationships between biodiversity conservation, poverty alleviation, ecosystem services, and forest biomass production are emphasized. The role of integrated watershed management for human well-being for bioresource conservation in the Siwalik foothills are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Against the background of still insufficient achievements of particular millennium development goals (MDGs), contributions of private business to the alleviation of poverty have been increasingly called for. The purpose of this paper is to address this issue and explore the CSR strategies of transnational corporations (TNCs) regarding their impact on poverty alleviation within the construction industry in India, in order to gain an insight on how business is engaged in the improvement of the situation of the poor, and to derive recommendations on how pertinent CSR strategies can be further developed. Design/methodology/approach – The paper collects primary data for monitoring the CSR activities of the largest TNCs within the construction industry in India to conduct a CSR ranking of the sample TNCs in terms of CSR engagement with particular focus on poverty alleviation with respect to the MDGs. Findings – The findings show that the core business-oriented focus of the CSR activities of the construction industry is mainly on MDG 1 and 7. Nevertheless, the construction industry still needs to gear its core business towards business models that enhance the housing conditions of the poor and to improve the general social conditions within this industry. Based on the findings the paper suggests a selected industry-specific governmental CSR guidance to propel the implementation of CSR as business case. Practical implications – This work provides policy implications for the government and outlines the areas for business practitioners where CSR strategies should be enhanced to meet social needs and contribute to the alleviation of poverty. Originality/value – First of its kind study in scrutinizing the contribution of CSR to the alleviation of poverty, particularly regarding TNCs of the construction industry in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper provides a platform to understand the role of Microfinance in the promotion of Rural women entrepreneurship. The Microfinance play today a major role in poverty alleviation in rural India. A growing number of poor people ( mostly women) in various parts of India are member of SHG's and actively engage in savings and credit as well as in other Activities. It has been globally accepted that women empowerment resource in over economic and social development of the nation. Women constitute half the human resource potential available for economic activity. The importance of promoting women to engage in economic activities is being increasingly realized in all countries mainly Role of SHG's. To provide new employment opportunities may be self employment by entrepreneurship development. The analysis and interpretation will be made by using suitable statistical tools and techniques in order to arrive a authenticated information about the best SHG's practices in the present scenario. The movement for financial inclusion has been on of the real hopes for inclusive growth management of Microfinance and Microfinance programmes are currently being promoted In India over the years various poverty alleviation programmes have been initiated by government as well as voluntary organizations despite these efforts not much difference is seen in the magnitude of poverty Micro credit has now emerged as a financial strategy to reach the urban and rural poor and is emerging as a movement as the global level over the past two decades member in the SHGs their families below poverty line the land less and access to formal credit institutions the informal credit institutions include money lenders, landlords, traders and middlemen, the formal sector includes commercial banks, co-operative bank, co-operative thrift and credit societies poor household and especially women need to be brought in to the main stream of the credit system group members are poor most of them are illiterate and they don't know to how to manage finance Finally, it makes an attempt to offer suggestions to enhance the Rural women entrepreneurship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Internal territorialisation or the formalisation of forest rights has led to increased state ownership in many countries, often ignoring traditional or customary tenure and land use. Because of its roots in a formal government process, the disjuncture between formal rights and local practices may be seen as unproblematic to policymakers, even though it harms the livelihoods of marginalised forest dwellers. In India in 2006, this situation was sought to be addressed by the passage of the Forest Rights Act, which acknowledged the injustices of the territorialisation process and aimed to restore some rights over forest use to forest-dwelling people. In this paper we examine the history of the territorialisation process in forested areas in the state of Orissa, India, and its implications for local inhabitants’ land rights and livelihoods. We use archival research and case studies to examine how imposition of formal land tenure in forested areas failed to recognise rights and led to exclusion, contestation and conflict. The archival research and the case studies were among the evidence presented in the Indian Parliament in support of passage of the 2006 law. They demonstrate the important role that researchers can play in the political process through careful documentation targeted at policymakers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

While investigating the role of business and accepting that profitable partnerships are the primary solution for poverty alleviation, we voice certain concerns that we hope will extend the authors' discourse in Alleviating Poverty through Profitable Partnerships. We present a model that we believe can serve as an effective framework for addressing these issues. We then establish the imperative of inclusive growth. Here, we engage with the necessity of formulating strategies that focus on the pace and, importantly, the pattern of economic growth, including its social and cultural dimensions. We also deliberate on the parameters of inclusive growth with the overriding objective of ensuring that multiple strata of society share the benefits of globalization. Turning to the critical role of institutions in promoting social welfare, we explore the impact of government policy vis-à-vis the leverage enjoyed by other social institutions. Despite the reality that state and private interests often operate at cross purposes, we argue that government must still be an integral part of the solution matrix. With direction from other social institutions, entrepreneurial forces can be unleashed to tackle endemic poverty prevalent in the base of the pyramid. We then provide an in-depth case study in which the availability of telecommunications in rural areas was utilized as a means to foster development and ensure inclusive growth. The conclusion examines lessons learned while operationalizing the model, and spells out the impact of our enablers at ground level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article adopts the concept of neoliberal governmentality to critically analyze public policy failures in a bottom-of-the-pyramid (BOP) marketing initiative. This research shows that e-Choupal, an Indian BOP initiative, is hampered by a divide between poverty alleviation and profit seeking, which is inadequately reconciled by the neoliberal government policies that dominate contemporary India. The initiative sounds good, even noble, but becomes mired in divergent discourses and practices that ultimately fail to help the poor whom it targets. This research helps explicate the problems with BOP policy interventions that encourage profit seeking as a way to alleviate poverty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article looks at the impact of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the alleviation of poverty in a village located in the Madurai District of Tamil Nadu, India. According to the authors, these village-based financial intermediaries helped to decrease interest rates in the informal financial market and to mobilize savings. It is suggested that a major limitation of SHGs is that the poorest villagers, especially women from female-headed households, found it difficult to join. Details related to the use of SHGs by the middle classes are presented. Other topics include microfinance, the Integrated Rural Development Program (IRDP), the SHG-Bank Linkage Program and the Association of Sarva Seva Farm (ASSEFA).

This article deals with the integration of gender in policies relating to information and communication technology to empower socially excluded poor women as producers of this technology. In this context, it examines an interventionist ICT policy undertaken by Kudumbasree (an innovative women-based participatory programme) to empower poor women. The central part of the investigation is a survey of Kudumbasreesupported micro enterprises scattered across the states to understand the nature and characteristics of the enterprises, activity pattern and performance. The study clearly establishes that given the levels of basic literacy in the state, engendering ICT for poor women is feasible, provided the right organisational support is given. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In a major deviation from conventional joint forest management approaches where the emphasis of management is on provision of forest products to the participating villagers, the Tamil Nadu Afforestation Project (TAP) focused on poverty alleviation as the principal means to achieve sustainable forest management. This study assesses the effectiveness of TAP's strategy in improving the ecology and socio-economic conditions of forest fringe villages using a diverse set of research methods. Results indicate that in a span of four to seven years, there was significant increase in forest cover, biodiversity, and agricultural productivity. The project villages have also shown considerable progress in various indicators of socio-economic development. The authors, however, suggest continued poverty alleviation and promotion of alternative livelihood opportunities to place the programme on a stable ground. Meeting the development needs of local villagers through strong and durable institutional linkages is also suggested for the programme to sustain and succeed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years microcredit has grown rapidly based on its promise to alleviate poverty and empower women. However, as the microcredit industry has grown, the initial emphasis on poverty alleviation and empowerment has changed; some critics argue that the industry now looks like commercial finance. This article explores these criticisms by comparing two microcredit programs in Chennai, India. Both programs work with the same population but take different approaches to credit delivery. Drawing from the participants' testimonies, the findings suggest that in general, the loans do not permanently move participants out of poverty; however, they do reduce some of the vulnerabilities associated with poverty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promotion of self-employment is one of the ways in which the Government of India has been trying to alleviate poverty. The modified version of the self-employment scheme called Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), launched in 1999, aims to promote micro-enterprise through credit-cum-subsidy. This paper analyses interstate performance of the scheme. Although the scheme in its holistic form is relatively new, the early evidences hold some important lessons that can be used to improve the design and implementation of the scheme. In particular, it is found that: contrary to the popular belief, subsidy does not seem to explain interstate performance of the scheme; effectiveness of lending institutions is crucial for the performance of a scheme that promotes micro-enterprise through credit-cum-subsidy; because the scheme requires matching contribution from the states, its performance depends also on states' fiscal position as well as the priority they attach to the objective of poverty alleviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indian cities are rapidly growing. Their growth has been accompanied by the growth of urban slums and subsequent challenges to access basic urban services like water, sanitation, clean energy, and transport for the urban poor. Despite its importance for basic survival, and from an economic and health (both personal and environmental) perspective, clean energy supply is not recognised as a basic urban service, as a result of which the poverty alleviation and basic infrastructure provision programmes in India have not addressed it completely. The situation is also aggravated by the existence of distorted energy markets in India, which have resulted in the true benefits of energy subsidies not reaching the poor and therefore hindering their access to cleaner fuels. Data on the status of physical access of households in India to different energy sources, whether households have access to different energy markets, whether energy is affordable to them, quality of energy supply, etc. is meagre. On the basis of a stakeholder interaction approach, following a set of logically sequenced questions to assess availability, accessibility, affordability, reliability and continuity of usage of clean fuels, this study assesses the current levels of access to clean forms of energy for cooking, lighting and productive/economic purposes, for the urban and peri-urban poor in Delhi, the capital of India, and identifies challenges and policy measures to improve clean energy access. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Collection of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) has been promoted in India as a strategy to aid wildlife conservation whilst simultaneously alleviating poverty, and recent legislation now gives communities living within protected areas the legal right to collect NTFPs. However, research on the financial rewards from NTFP collection and its contribution to sustainable development is equivocal. In a case study in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, India, we examined whether NTFP collection can solve livelihood problems by analysing revenues obtained from various NTFP species, estimating the economic returns to collectors from various social backgrounds, and exploring the attitudes of collectors towards their profession. We found that black damar resin from the tree Canarium strictum (6 1.3%) and mace from Myristica spp. (35.5%) were the most commonly collected NTFPs, and the most valuable NTFPs were honey from Apis cerana indica (USD 4.12 kg-1), cardamom Elettaria cardamomum (USD 3.67 kg-1) and Myristica spp. (USD 2.77 kg-1). Mean daily revenue from NTFP collection was USD 3.15 ± SD 4.19 day', and the lowest daily revenues were earned by part-time collectors with low socio-economic status such as migrants, forest-dwellers or those without access to agricultural land. Most collectors (82%) did not wish to continue harvesting NTFPs if alternative livelihoods from agriculture could be provided, and none wanted their children to be NTFP collectors. Our findings suggest that, with respect to social justice, poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability, the role of NTFP collection in sustainable development is questionable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pigeonpea is a tropical grain legume grown mainly in India. Though largely considered an orphan crop, pigeonpea has a huge untapped potential for improvement both in quantity and quality of production in Africa. More than any other legume adapted to the region, pigeonpea uniquely combines optimal nutritional profiles, high tolerance to environmental stresses, high biomass productivity and most nutrient and moisture contributions to the soil. The legume can be utilized in several diverse ways while the high genetic variability that exists within the cultivated and wild relatives remains to be explored for further uses. This article highlights the need for popularizing pigeonpea as a major legume crop in Africa. The main constraints to productivity are discussed and recent breeding efforts in Africa highlighted. Important opportunities for improvement are further provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article contributes to a better understanding of implications of scaling up on the social mission of microfinance programs. It proposes a methodology to measure the extent, if any, to which a microfinance program with a poverty alleviation mission drifts away from its mission during rapid scaling up and presents findings from a field research using the proposed methodology at Activists for Social Alternatives (ASA), a microfinance organization that serves poor women in rural India. The findings indicate that mission drift is not a result of deliberate decisions by the management or board but rather is a result of the challenges posed by the scaling-up process. At times, changing trends in social outcomes were not obvious, and management was not aware of the changes indicated by the proposed measures of social performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Democratic decentralization and community participation often stand at the center of an agenda of “good governance” that aims to reduce corruption and increase the state’s accountability to its citizens. However, this paper suggests based on empirical studies on the Employment Assurance Scheme in rural West Bengal that the strength of upward accountability (especially to political parties) is as crucial as downward accountability to communities. When these vertical accountabilities are weak, horizontal accountability structures between local civil society and officials can mutate into networks of corruption in which “community” actors become accomplices or primary agents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study quantifies the tangible, economic benefits of a nongovernmental organization's social forestry project to local people and analyzes the potential return from this investment in natural capital. The analysis was conducted in the Kumaun hill region of Uttaranchal, India, using participatory rapid appraisal, household survey, avoided cost method, and present value investment analysis. The annual value (based on the ecosystem service of goods provision) of the forest resource to local people was estimated at 903,337 rupees, and the total return on 8 years of investment through 2021 was projected to be 883%. Quantitative and qualitative results show that social forestry is a solid investment in natural and human capital. Overall, this study serves as one example of how ecosystem service valuation can be employed to achieve conservation and development goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India, micro-finance has grown rapidly. We examine qualitative local data on micro-finance in southern Andhra Pradesh. We compare and contrast Mayoux's three paradigms of micro-finance as being differentiated by their assumptions, their claims, and the mode of operation of those who adhere to them. Each paradigm offers a grounding for practice as well as a mode of discourse for microfinance practitioners. In Andhra Pradesh, the empowerment paradigm is fading away compared with the financial sustainability paradigm of micro-finance. The anti-poverty paradigm is also muted. The financial sustainability school is presently dominant in this complex micro-enterprise scene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concerns for sustainable development and poverty alleviation are forcing public agricultural research systems to focus on improving livelihoods security. Crop-livestock production systems are central to the livelihood security of the rural poor in India and some other countries of the tropics. With increasing population, urbanisation and incomes, massive increases are foreseen in demands for livestock products, leading to a livestock revolution. This will present associated challenges and opportunities to the research and policy systems like those that followed the green revolution in crops. The challenges would be different as the importance of livestock for livelihoods security is more in marginal rainfed and arid ecosystems. This paper develops a research policy framework for planning for a livestock revolution and discusses the implications for research and institutional reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbon footprint (CF) has emerged as an important yardstick to understand the total contribution of countries, sectors and individuals to climate change. In contrast to conventional emissions accounting which captures only territorial or local production activities, the CF includes the emissions imposed by consumption across global supply chains for goods and services. Recent interest has grown in the application of CF assessment for municipalities owing to their large contribution to global carbon emissions and the limited coverage of existing data to monitor their climate pledges. By linking household-level consumer surveys to a global supply chain database, spatially-explicit CF assessment is possible at a district and household scale. To date, such technique has exposed otherwise unforeseen differences in consumer carbon footprints in developed countries. Within this study we calculate and compare the household carbon footprints 623 districts in India, based on micro consumption data from 203,313 households and explain their variation by economic, cultural and demographic factors. We show the eradication of extreme poverty does not conflict with ambitious climate change mitigation in India. However, our analysis suggests CF reduction policies within India need to target high-expenditure households which are responsible for nearly seven times the carbon emissions than low-expenditure households (living on $1.9 consumption a day). These vast disparities between the carbon footprint of citizens in India highlights the need to differentiate individual responsibilities for climate change in national and global climate policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small ruminant production has the potential to address the global challenge of greatly increased food production in impoverished rural areas in a manner that is socioeconomically sustainable and carbon efficient. Twenty-six small ruminant landless farmers in three villages in the Kanchipuram District of the state of Tamil Nadu were surveyed with regard to their sheep farming practice and production indices, with the preliminary aim of evaluating the potential of small ruminant farming in alleviating poverty in parts of rural in southern India. The small ruminant farmers reared mostly indigenous Madras Red sheep as a means of generating primary or supplementary income. Participatory interviews were undertaken to enable the completion of a questionnaire pertaining to sheep production over the four most recent annual production cycles (referred to as instances) at the time of the study. When calculating the annual farm profits without taking into consideration the opportunity cost of labour, 83% of annual sheep production cycles over a 4-year period added to household incomes. Further, 23% of the instances that accounted for the opportunity cost of labour, household income was raised above the Indian Government's defined poverty line solely through small ruminant farming. Management practices were identified, while participating in landless farmer interviews provided an insight into the husbandry, or lack thereof, which resulted in low lambing percentages and rates of high ewe losses, perinatal lamb mortality and abortion. The study showed both the vulnerability and potential resilience of small ruminant farming to natural disaster, in this case catastrophic flooding in 2015. While small ruminant farming generated income in most instances, the way it is practiced creates opportunities for simple changes in husbandry and management that could make it more efficient in poverty alleviation.