Digital Microcredit and Rural Economic Resilience During Food Crises in the Mekong Delta and Central American Dry Corridor

Authors

• Mario de la Puente, Universidad del NorteFollow
• Jose Torres, Universidad de Sucre
• Hernan Guzman, Universidad de Sucre
• Heidy Rico Fontalvo, University of Cartagena
• Tatiana Londoño Ochoa, University of Cartagena

Author ORCID Identifier

Mario de la Puente: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0783-1267

Jose Torres: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8107-8763

Hernan Guzman: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6757-4549

Heidy Rico Fontalvo: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4509-6117

Tatiana Londoño Ochoa: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7093-041X

Abstract

Rural households in developing regions face recurring food security crises that undermine economic stability. This study examines how digital microcredit platforms influence rural economic resilience during crises across contrasting contexts. The research collected data from 1,200 food-insecure households in Vietnam's Mekong Delta and Central America's Dry Corridor. Multiple regression analysis confirmed digital microcredit engagement positively affected resilience (β = 0.487, p < 0.001), with structural equation modeling identifying productive investment as a partial mediator. Regional comparisons revealed Mekong Delta households achieved higher resilience despite similar credit usage patterns, indicating institutional factors substantially moderate effectiveness. These findings demonstrate that while digital financial services enhance crisis management capacity, their developmental impact depends critically on implementation context, informing adaptive strategies for digital financial inclusion programs.

Recommended Citation

de la Puente, M., Torres, J., Guzman, H., Rico Fontalvo, H., & Londoño Ochoa, T. (In press). Digital Microcredit and Rural Economic Resilience During Food Crises in the Mekong Delta and Central American Dry Corridor. Information Technology for Development.
Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/itd/vol32/iss3/10