Abstract: The paper presents prospects and challenges of the collective action in facilitating access to financial services among smallholder farmers in rural areas. It is based on data collected through Focus Group Discussions (FDGs) from 11 cases of Savings and Credit cooperatives (SACCOs), Primary Agricultural Marketing Co-operatives (AMCOS) and Farmers Associations (FA) in Dodoma and Morogoro regions in Tanzania. By using the content analysis, the paper presents three major findings. First, the groups are much relevant in strengthening the ability of the smallholder farmers to access financial services. Second, The majority of smallholder farmers rarely payback their loans obtained through wholesale borrowing. Thus, wholesale group lending results into ineptness which leads to debt frightening. Failure to repay their loans increases financial burden as interest and fine enlarge the loan size. Consequently, frightening cooperation and sustainability of groups and deepening poverty among smallholder farmers. It was further observed that, the main reason for poor repayment of the loans is poor group lending implementation arrangements. Thus, the paper proposes the implementation arrangement of the wholesale lending method that would reduce financial risks and ensure sustainability of the groups.Abstract: The paper presents prospects and challenges of the collective action in facilitating access to financial services among smallholder farmers in rural areas. It is based on data collected through Focus Group Discussions (FDGs) from 11 cases of Savings and Credit cooperatives (SACCOs), Primary Agricultural Marketing Co-operatives (AMCOS) and Farmers A...Show More
Abstract: Kabacan town in Mindanao, Southern Philippines, which is situated on the flood plain of Cotabato Province, has been heavily affected on flooding in the recent years. Flooding on February 2013 brought about by typhoon “Crising” had worsened as compared to previous flooding events in the area. This flood event has caused heavy damage to agriculture, and economy of the town. The economic impacts of February 2013 flooding was evaluated and monetized. Valuation techniques comprised of clean-up costs method, crop damage and loss of foregone income was used to estimate the economic costs of flooding. Economic costs comprised of loss of income from rice production, loss of income from other source, clean-up costs and government spending were reached up to Php20, 451,247.49. Findings of the study will be beneficial to the Local Government of Kabacan, particularly to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Municipal Agriculture Office and to the Climate Change Commission as flooding is one of the major concerns of Climate Change.Abstract: Kabacan town in Mindanao, Southern Philippines, which is situated on the flood plain of Cotabato Province, has been heavily affected on flooding in the recent years. Flooding on February 2013 brought about by typhoon “Crising” had worsened as compared to previous flooding events in the area. This flood event has caused heavy damage to agriculture, ...Show More
