IS microfinance dragon in poverty alleviation? – A study of gulbarga district in Karnataka state Dandgund Malappa, Honnurswamy Nayakar Research Scholar, Department of Economics, Gulbarga University, Karnataka. Online published on 6 October, 2012. Abstract The microfinance movement began with the work of Dr Muhammad Yunus in Bangladesh in the late 1970s, spreading rapidly to other developing countries. The thrust of the study lies in knowing the effect of micro finance on the poverty alleviation. In this study it is analyzed that microfinance is an important element for an effective poverty reduction strategy. The role of Micro-Finance on poverty alleviation is checked both in social and economic aspects. The social and economic factors considered in this study include the improvement of life style, accommodation standard, income generation, life standard, purchasing power, expansion of business facility, self-employment and adoption of better technology. Economic growth and development is also considered in this study. It reveals that access and efficient provision of micro credit can enable the poor to smooth their consumption, better manage their risks, gradually build their assets, develop their micro enterprises, enhance their income earning capacity, and enjoy an improved quality of life. It argues that with little efforts, the performance of Micro Finance institutions can be improved and these institutions can play their role better in poverty alleviation than usual Top Keywords Microfinance, Poverty alleviation, Microfinance in Gulbarga District. Top |