THE IMPACT OF MICROFINANCE TO REDUCE POVERTY OF RURAL HOUSEHOLD: THE STUDY DISTRICT SIALKOT, PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study examines the impact of microfinance on poverty alleviation keeping in view the factors that affect the poverty which include to execution of income and expenditure, health and food security, housing infrastructure, education and agriculture. This is a survey based research & primary data is collected for this study through a structured questionnaire that comprising various aspects of microfinance & poverty alleviation. Multistage technique is used for data collection from clients of Akhuwat Trust and Kashf Foundation that is related in district Sialkot. Total numbers of respondents are 213. Wilcoxon Model is used to check the relationship among microfinance, income and expenditure, health and food security, housing infrastructure, education and agriculture to check the effect of microfinance on poverty. The study found a positive effect on poverty alleviation and significant impact on poor household and also observed that it leads to decrease in poverty. The result shows good and significant impact of microfinance programs on Income, health and food security, housing infrastructure, education and agriculture.