Marie Michael Library

Asian efforts to develop rural financial markets: some insights for Brazil

Meyer, Richard L.

Many Latin American countries, including Brazil, pursued an aggressive supply-lending approach to agricultural credit policy beginning in the mid 1960s. Many Asian countries did the same. The results have been largely negative. However, three relatively successful "flagship" institutions have emerged in Asia with strong outreach and sustainability. This paper highlights these institutions and analyzes their success using a three-pronged analytical framework of policy environment, financial infrastructure and institutional development.