Accesibilidad y profundidad del sistema financiero : algunas implicaciones para los objetivos de desarrollo y las microfinanzas

Las deficiencias de muchos sistemas financieros locales los hacen excluyentes para amplias capas de población, suponiendo una importante limitación para los procesos de desarrollo. Esta situación ha motivado iniciativas como los programas de microfinanzas, que tratan de ampliar la cobertura de servicios financieros -especilamente el crédito- y avanzar en la lucha contra la pobreza. Sin embargo, la definición de las variables claves que determinan la accesibilidad y los objetivos de desarrollo distan mucho de ser claras. Este trabajo profundiza en las relaciones entre variables relativas al comportamiento del sistema financiero, tratando de identificar su incidencia en los países más pobres, para así, poder avanzar hacia sistemas financieros incluyentes.________________________The shortcomings of many local financial systems keep them out of reach for large sections of population, meaning an important limitation for the processes of development. This situation has motivated initiatives such as the microfinance programmes, which try to extend the coverage of financial services –specially the credit– and to advance in the fight against poverty. However, the definition of the key variables that determine accessibility to the financial system, and the very relationship between financial system and development goals, are far from clear. This paper studies the relations between variables relative to the behaviour of the financial system, trying to identify their impact in the poorest countries in order to advance towards inclusive financial systems

Food production and consumption in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan: the challenges of sustainability and seasonality for dietary diversity

In Asia, high levels of malnutrition threaten the health and livelihoods of millions of households. This paper concentrates on linkages between agriculture and nutrition in Afghanistan where food and nutrition insecurity are increasing and agricultural sustainability is increasingly compromised by climate change. We explore seasonal patterns of food production and consumption in the remote and robust ecological environment of Shah Foladi, Bamyan Province. Analysis of qualitative data from household interviews in eight villages has provided a wealth of insights into the seasonality of diets. Even within a broadly homogeneous environment, households were found to be markedly heterogeneous in respect of their assets, production, market, finance and employment strategies. The so-called ‘lean season’ was found to vary accordingly. Nevertheless, a general lack of dietary diversity during much of the year is likely to cause micronutrient malnutrition, especially for the vulnerable groups of children, adolescent girls and women. Potential interventions are proposed which need to account for the local context in order to overcome the natural and political constraints. These strategies include agricultural innovation and multi-sectoral policy approaches. In the end, reducing national insecurity is a pre-requisite for sustainable improvement in nutrition-sensitive agricultural development

Are agriculture and nutrition policies and practice coherent? Stakeholder evidence from Afghanistan

Despite recent improvements in the national average, stunting levels in Afghanistan exceed 70% in some Provinces. Agriculture serves as the main source of livelihood for over half of the population and has the potential to be a strong driver of a reduction in under-nutrition. This article reports research conducted through interviews with stakeholders in agriculture and nutrition in the capital, Kabul, and four provinces of Afghanistan, to gain a better understanding of the institutional and political factors surrounding policy making and the nutrition-sensitivity of agriculture. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a total of 46 stakeholders from central government and four provinces, including staff from international organizations, NGOs and universities. We found evidence of interdisciplinary communication at the central level and within Provinces, but little evidence of vertical coordination in policy formulation and implementation between the centre and Provinces. Policy formulation and decision making were largely sectoral, top-down, and poorly contextualised. The weaknesses identified in policy formulation, focus, knowledge management, and human and financial resources inhibit the orientation of national agricultural development strategies towards nutrition-sensitivity. Integrating agriculture and nutrition policies requires explicit leadership from the centre. However, effectiveness of a food-based approach to reducing nutrition insecurity will depend on decentralising policy ownership to the regions and provinces through stronger subnational governance. Security and humanitarian considerations point to the need to manage and integrate in a deliberate way the acute humanitarian care and long-term development needs, of which malnutrition is just one element