Read the following passages and answer the questions that follow.
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Microfinance institutions (MFIs) have become crucial agents for advancing financial inclusion in rural areas. Through extending small loans and savings accounts to people who don't have access to conventional banks, MFIs empower entrepreneurs—most often women—to initiate or scale up microenterprises. In most villages, these loans support poultry farming, handloom weaving, or tiny retailing outlets. MFIs go beyond credit by regularly offering financial education training, teaching borrowers to cope with cash flows and interest charges. Critics warn, however, that excessive interest rates and repayment pressure can result in over-indebtedness. To avoid such risks, some MFIs limit interest rates and spread repayment terms. Research indicates that when complemented by market linkages—such as guaranteed buyers for fruits and vegetables —microfinance can trigger sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction.
In the context of the above passage, "microenterprises" most nearly means:
Show answerAnswer & explanation
Correct option: B — Small-scale businesses
Small-scale businesses The term "microenterprises" refers to very small-scale businesses such as poultry farming, weaving, or tiny retail shops, which are often supported through microfinance loans.
