Only relief achieves short-term poverty reduction, but is ineffective in the long run. Sustainable poverty reduction can only be attained through well-designed long-term development measures. For example, Indonesia is considered one of the most successful countries with regard to poverty...

The IFAD Rural Finance Policy lists among the initiatives to be supported commercially-operated apex organizations for refinancing MFIs (para. 20) and stipulates that, Equity financing through appropriate apex institutions may be developed by IFAD as a new instrument, which would provide the...

The fluctuations in incomes inherent in rural communities can be attenuated by reciprocal insurance. We develop a model of such insurance based on self-interested behaviour and voluntary participation. One individual assists another only if the costs of so doing are outweighed by the benefits...