Does electrification affect rural poverty and households’ non-food spending? Empirical evidence from western Indonesia

Open

Ikhsan Ikhsan, Khairul Amri

2022 Cogent Economics and Finance Vol. 10 Issue 1 Article Cited by 16 SDG 7 Quartile

Abstract

The study aims to determine the effect of electrification on rural poverty and households’ non-food spending (NFS). Using a cross-province dataset of western Indonesia from 2007 through 2017, an econometric model was used to analyze the causal relationship between the variables. The econometric model is a panel cointegration test, panel VECM, and Granger causality tests. The study pointed out three main findings. Firstly, there is a long-run equilibrium relationship between rural poverty and households’ NFS and electrification. In the long run, the electrification program has a negative and significant on households’ NFS. Secondly, in the short run, electrification significantly reduces poverty and increases households’ NFS. Thirdly, the Granger causality test pointed out that there is one-way causality from electrification to rural poverty and households’ NFS. The rural poverty reduction and the raising households’ NFS are positive impacts of the electrification program. Therefore, the local governments in western Indonesia should be electrification programs as one of the strategic options for rural poverty reduction in the region. © 2022 The Author(s). This open access article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 license.

Affiliations

Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia; Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business, Universitas Islam Negeri Ar-raniry, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

Research at a Glance

Premium content — register to unlock

Research at a Glance

Register to unlock

Topics & SDG Alignment

Premium content — register to unlock

Topics & SDG Alignment

Register to unlock

Collaboration

Premium content — register to unlock

Collaboration

Register to unlock

Author Profile (Selected)

Premium content — register to unlock

Author Profile (Selected)

Register to unlock

References Overview

Premium content — register to unlock

References Overview

Register to unlock

Journal & Source

Premium content — register to unlock

Journal & Source

Register to unlock

Metadata & Integrity

Premium content — register to unlock

Metadata & Integrity

Register to unlock