Editorial 2019

Abstract

Dear Readers

I am happy to introduce you the Volume 5 (Annual), 2019 of The Journal of Development Practice – A Peer-Reviewed International Journal of Experiences from the Field (ISSN 2394-0476). The volume carries a section on Microfinance (three articles) Guest Edited by Md Aslam Mia and two other articles related to development. The articles address various themes related to Sustainable Development Goals and puts suggestions to enhance quality of life.

The paper by Md. Sohel Rana, Md. Aslam Mia, Izlin Binti Ismail and Mohd Nazari Bin Ismail evaluates the productivity of microfinance institutions (MFIs) from Palestine and Jordan by employing non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis. The study uses balanced panel secondary data of 13 MFIs and proposes that to ensure long term sustainability, MFIs need to be financially sustainable and productivity could be one of the ways to promote financial sustainability. According to the study the microfinance industry observed 2.6% productivity progress per annum due to change in technological capacity of the MFIs. Moreover, the study also finds that Palestinian MFIs perform relatively better than Jordanian MFIs.

The second article Zakat as an Alternative of Microcredit for Poverty Reduction in Bangladesh by Isahaque Ali, Azlinda Azman, Paramjit Singh Jamir Singh, Syazwani Drani, Zulkarnain A. Hatta, Manzur Kadir Ahmed and Tahmina Akhter discusses micronance and Zakat based on Islamic financial philosophy to poverty reduction. The study based on evidence argues that microfinance alone may not be enough to eradicate poverty; however, microfinance and Zakat jointly increase the monthly and yearly income of the recipients.

The third article Pitfalls of Microcredit towards Sustainable Economic Development of the Microcredit Borrowers - Evidence from Rupsha, a Locality of Bangladesh by Idris Ali, Ashiqun Nabi and Muhammad HelalUddin discusses the pitfalls of microcredit in Rupsha, Bangladesh. The study points out those high interests rates, lack of proper monitoring mechanisms, failing to lend to right borrowers, lack of training and other factors lead to achieve its larger aim of sustainable economic growth and development.

The fourth article Northeast Cultural Values and Principles, Good Governance and Conflict Reduction - A Bodo Socio-Cultural Framework by Leon Miller proposes a solution to problems occurring in Northeast India that result in conflict – that are the consequences of the prior approach to development and governance. The article argues that the problems can be solved in a way compatible with micro level cultural values and that benefit stakeholders at the local, regional, and national levels. The study carried out in context of the Northeast India and a Bodo Socio-Cultural Framework is used to present the case of application.

The fifth article Effect of Road Transport Accessibility on Agricultural Produce Marketing and Livelihoods of Farmers in the Kasena-Nankana West District of Ghana by Anthony Kwame Morgan, Emmanuel Dogbey, Wahid Abdul Arimeyaw and Alfred Foster Senior Owusu speaks of roads making significant contribution to economic growth and development in rural societies thus eradicating rural-urban disparities. The study presents a case from Ghana and highlights that while good road connectivity can increase income of the farmers a poor road connectivity not only incurs loss to the famers but also incurs post-harvest loses.

I am grateful to all the Authors, the Guest Editor and the Reviewers of the Volume, and wish all readers insights and knowledge on the subjects and issues discussed in the Volume.

Editor

Jacob Islary, MSW, PhD

Social Work, Assam Don Bosco University, India