Microfinance need not be confined to lending and saving money, which not only presents safety risks, but is also subject to the impact of inflation. As a result, many microfinance institutions are experimenting with non-monetary loans, such as cows and seeds. This form of lending has its own risks – the cow could fall ill and die, or the seeds may not grow into plants as expected. However, the results have been positive so far.

The following video sums up the acivities of one African microfinance institution that lends cows to its borrowers.