Rural poverty is a major socioeconomic issue of many of the developing countries including Pakistan. Different strategies are being used to combat with rural poverty including disbursement of micro-credit by different state or non-state institutions in the country. In order to find out the impact of micro-credit on livelihoods of rural poor in the Punjab province of Pakistan, the present study was designed. Survey research design using mix method approach to data collection was used. Both probability (simple random) and non-probability sampling procedure was adopted for the selection of study objects. The total sample size of study was 150 (both male and female recipients of micro-credit). Descriptive (Frequency, %, mean, SD) and inferential statistics (multiple regression) was used for the interpretation of data through SPSS. It was concluded from the results that majority of the recipients of micro-credit was belong to young age category (mean age 36 Years) with low educational status. The educational level of rural women is very low compared to men. A large majority (78.0%) of the micro-credit recipients were female having low monthly income (119USD). Disbursement of micro-credit was one of the major strategies to cope with the issues of rural poverty. The average loan size as received by respondents was continuously increasing every year. In the research area illiteracy was on the top among other reasons of poverty with highest mean value (4.49/5.00). Majority of the respondents reported that micro-credit had significant impact in uplifting their livelihoods. It was suggested that micro-credit disbursement to the poor is not a sustainable solution to reduce poverty. The state should start other income generation activities in rural areas.

Strategies adopted by a household to deal with natural, economic, and social shocks depend upon available resources and capabilities. Families belonging to different vicinities and socio-economic groups have different earning and utilising earnings to fulfil their basic needs. Households need various interventions for well-being. While keeping in view the situation, this study planned to deepen insight into rural households' food consumption system. Food consumption score and household food insecurity access score index were used for precise estimation of food consumption behaviour and food security level weekly and monthly. Food Consumption Score indicated that households are less food insecure weekly; not a single-family consumes less than required food. But when we analyze rural households' consumption behaviour, up to 50 per cent of the population is on the borderline of food security. Little shock can lead them to food insecurity. Results show that an increase or decrease in income or fluctuation in an economy severely affects food consumption, even at the grass-root level. For upgrading the livelihood patterns and food security situation, a stable economy is an essential factor. Policymakers should modify food security plans according to the ever-changing needs of the population. The national poverty and food insecurity management departments of developing countries should be improved so that vulnerability to food security and food loss can be predicted more accurately.

No abstract

No abstract

Abstract-With the increase in human population in developing countries including Pakistan and shortage of canal irrigation water, people used to think about other alternate irrigation sources particularly in peri-urban areas, where most of the farming activities are depend upon waste water. Pakistan is also included in the list of those where untreated waste water application on vegetables is very common. Based on the theoretical debate on its advantages and disadvantages, the present study was designed to know about the incentives and disincentives of untreated wastewater application in vegetables. The study was conducted in the Punjab province. Quantitative data were collected through reliable and validated research instrument (interview schedule) and analyzed through SPSS. It was concluded from the results that majority of the respondents (55.8%) had education only upto eight (08) years of schooling. About 69.2% of the respondents were small land holders and considered as tenant. Majority of the majority of the vegetable growers in the research area used to grow vegetables from more than 10 years. Shortage of can irrigation water, power/energy crises in Pakistan, and high cost of fresh water through tube well were the main reasons behind application of untreated waste water for vegetable farming. Out of different incentives of waste water application in vegetables, high yield was on the top with maximum mean (x̄=4.13). Health problems were the main disincentives of wastewater application in vegetable due to its high mean (x̄=4.42) out of others. Overall mean of all the disincentives (x̄=4.61) is high compared to overall mean of all the incentives (x̄=4.13). It was recommended that water treatment facilities should be provided by the government on subsidized rates as small scale vegetable growers didn't have enough financial and physical capitals.