IOSR-JEF   Volume-4 ~ Issue-1

Abstract: This article starts with the background of the problem, on the basis of the identified issues; objectives were drawn to prosecute a fresh study in the study region. An attempt has been made to cover the retrospective study under the heads of CBs and agriculture finance, rural credit format in India, priority sector(PS) and agricultural finance, statistical profile of priority sector and agricultural finance by CBs both at aggregate and disaggregate level. The SR got the lion's share in PS lending. Andhra Pradesh has achieved the highest share not only in SCBs advances to priority sectors in SR but also in the disbursement under RIDF. SHGs Bank Linkage programme succeeded well in AP, besides distress among farmers is also higher. The central government has identified suicide prone districts in AP. The study felt the disagreement between the higher statistical share in agricultural finance and farmers' distress in the same state. An attempt has been made to analyze the farmers' perceptions relating to agricultural finance by employing quantitative tools viz., ANOVA and Chi Square tests. Suggestions for the policy makers and avenues for further research to the scholars' who would like to undertake research in this area are also mentioned.
Key words: Priority sector, credit delivery, structural anomalies, financial constraints, farm crisis.

Abstract: We show empirically that bank's exposure to interest rate risk or income gap determines the structure of the balance sheet. In particular, we show that in Kenya, commercial banks typically retain a large exposure to interest rates that can be predicted through the income gap. We also establish the sensitivity of income gaps to market interest rates as determined by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) through treasury instruments. Quantitatively, a 200 basis point change in CBK rates would lead to a change of net income equivalent to 0.4% of total assets of the bank. JEL Classification: G12, G21
Keywords: Interest rate risk, risk management, commercial banks in Kenya, Basel capital accord, income gap analysis.

Abstract: Nigeria is predominantly a rural economy. If development is to take place and become self-sustaining, it must therefore, emphasis more on rural transformation. It is universally acknowledged that rural areas are very important to a nation. They serve as the base for the production of food and fiber. Yet, despite the importance of the rural areas, they have been neglected for long. Development plans of the country, therefore emphasized on rural economic development. But in the implementation of the planned objectives, the success was rather limited due to some constraints, at the top of which was the lack of participation by the stakeholders, the rural dwellers. The role played by government has failed at addressing the key issues in rural economic development. It is therefore, the responsibility of the Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) who can penetrate the rural communities to engage them in participatory development process for the rapid development of the rural areas. It is the rural dwellers alone who can effectively identify their own problems and adequately identify their perceived needs. It therefore, becomes imperative that they be involved in the design and implementation of development programmes meant to improve their welfare.
Key words: bottom-up strategy, democratic principle, Non-Governmental Organizations, participatory development process, sustainable rural development.