Gendered Impact of Financial Inclusion on Climate Change Adaptation among Rural Rice Farmers in Nepal

Sanchita  Joshi; Niranjan Devkota; Vaibhav  Puri

doi:10.3126/nppr.v2i1.48403

Authors

Sanchita Joshi Faculty of Management Studies
Niranjan Devkota National Planing Commission, Nepal
Vaibhav Puri Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, University of Delhi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/nppr.v2i1.48403

Keywords:

Climate Change, Adaptation, Financial Inclusion, Female Rural Rice Farmers, Binary Logistic Regression

Abstract

The present paper examines the gendered impact of financial inclusion on climate change adaptation among rural rice farmers across seven Nepalese districts through an odds-ratio-based binary logistic regression analysis. Primarily the study indicates that the availability of loans makes female farmers 7.6 times (significant) more likely to adopt climate change adaptation, whereas, in the case of male farmers, access to loans does not have a significant impact; and access to phone plays a significant role (odd ratio of 1.9) in encouraging female farmers to undertake climate change adaptation. Thus, from a policy perspective, there is need to increase loan availability to rural Nepalese female rice farmers to facilitate climate change adaptation. Specific schemes targeting this section need to be formulated and implemented. Moreover, mobile phone-based innovative applications could be used as a potent tool by banks for achieving financial inclusion along with significant associated positive externalities for the environment.

Author Biographies

Sanchita Joshi , Faculty of Management Studies

Sanchita Joshi is a Doctoral student at the Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi. Additionally, at present she is also working as a Consultant with the AGNIi Mission of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, at Invest India. Her primary areas of interest include – Women’s work participation, Time Use Research, Technology and Human Development, and Climate Change.

Niranjan Devkota, National Planing Commission, Nepal

Dr. Niranjan Devkota is an economist with the special focus climate change adaptation, agricultural economics and natural resource economics. Niranjan has over 15 years of experience in the field of economics related research with varietal dynamics. His recent research focuses ranges from development economics especially in resource economics, management and other contemporary issues. Currently he is working at National Planning Commission as research associate of Nepal.

Vaibhav Puri, Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, University of Delhi

Vaibhav Puri is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics, Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, University of Delhi. Vaibhav is currently pursuing his doctoral research from Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi in the area of 'Transport and Economic Development'. With over 10 years of work experience, his research interests include, Development Economics and Remote Sensing.

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