Microcredit Model from Bangladesh Offers New Hope for Poverty-Stricken Indonesian Fishing Communities
A new study by Ilyas of Halu Oleo University highlights how a microfinance approach pioneered in Bangladesh could help lift fishermen in Tongke-Tongke Village out of poverty. Published in 2026 in the International Journal of Global Sustainable Research, the research argues that adapting the Grameen Bank model may provide fishermen with the capital access they need to stabilize income and improve long-term welfare.
The findings matter as many coastal communities across Indonesia continue to face economic vulnerability despite the nation’s vast marine resources. By examining proven global strategies, the study contributes to ongoing policy discussions about sustainable poverty reduction in maritime regions.
Coastal Wealth, Persistent Poverty
Indonesia is widely recognized as one of the world’s largest maritime nations, with abundant fisheries and coastal ecosystems capable of supporting local economies. Yet, the research notes a persistent paradox: resource-rich coastal areas often remain economically fragile.
Tongke-Tongke Village illustrates this contradiction. The area produces fish, shrimp, shellfish, and seaweed, while exports such as tuna and grouper contribute to regional trade. Infrastructure like fish auction facilities has been developed, but many fishermen still struggle to achieve financial security.
Several structural challenges drive this condition:
- Fishing income fluctuates with weather, seasons, and ocean conditions.
- Many fishermen rely on basic equipment that limits catch volume.
- During harsh monsoon periods, boats remain docked, cutting off earnings entirely.
- Access to business capital is extremely limited.
Without alternative income sources, these factors can trap households in cycles of poverty.
Learning from a Global Microfinance Pioneer
The study points to the work of Muhammad Yunus, whose microcredit initiatives transformed rural lending practices. Yunus demonstrated that small loans—often provided without traditional collateral—could empower low-income borrowers to start businesses and become financially independent.
His approach challenged long-held assumptions within banking systems that lending to the poor was too risky. Instead, group-based lending and flexible repayment structures proved both sustainable and profitable.
According to the research, the key lesson is institutional design: poverty often stems not from personal failure but from limited access to financial resources.
Ilyas explains that poverty frequently emerges from “deficiencies in the institutions we have built, especially financial institutions that restrict access to capital for marginalized communities.”
This insight reframes poverty as a systemic issue rather than an individual one.
How the Study Was Conducted
The research used a qualitative descriptive design based entirely on secondary data. Sources included government statistics, publications from maritime agencies, academic journals, and relevant books.
The analytical process involved collecting and organizing data, reducing it to key themes, and interpreting patterns related to poverty, financial access, and rural development.
While the study focused on one village, the author suggests that its conclusions may inform policies for other coastal communities with similar characteristics.
Key Findings
The study identifies capital access as the most critical barrier preventing fishermen from diversifying income and building resilience.
Major insights include:
- Many fishermen are considered “non-bankable” because they lack collateral—not because they cannot repay loans.
- Rural credit markets remain limited compared to urban financial services.
- Informal lenders often charge extremely high interest rates, deepening economic vulnerability.
- Group-based lending could improve accountability and reduce default risk.
- Loan repayment schedules aligned with fishing seasons may help borrowers avoid financial stress.
The research also recommends government participation in rural credit systems, potentially using public funds to provide low- or no-interest financing.
Real-World Implications
Adopting a microfinance model similar to Grameen Bank could reshape economic prospects for fishing communities in several ways:
Economic Stability: Access to small loans could support side businesses during off-seasons, reducing reliance on unpredictable fishing income.
Community Empowerment: Group lending structures encourage cooperation and shared responsibility, strengthening social capital.
Reduced Dependence on Loan Sharks: Affordable credit can prevent households from falling into high-interest debt cycles.
Sustainable Development: Equal access to financial resources supports broader economic participation and long-term growth.
However, the study emphasizes that policies must be adapted to local socio-cultural conditions rather than copied wholesale from other countries.
Ilyas notes that while the core principles can be replicated, “policy models should be modified to reflect differences in social and cultural contexts.”
This approach ensures that imported strategies remain relevant and effective.
Limitations and Future Research
The author acknowledges that the research examines only one village and therefore cannot represent all Indonesian fishing communities. Still, the framework offers a foundation for comparative studies across regions with similar economic structures.
Future research could test pilot microcredit programs and measure their direct impact on income levels, business formation, and household welfare.
Author Profile
Ilyas, M.Si. is a researcher affiliated with the Faculty of Economics and Business at Halu Oleo University. His academic work focuses on poverty reduction, rural development, and sustainable economic policy, with particular attention to coastal communities.
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