Research Reports (1995): Economic Studies, Vol - X

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10361/12884

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Socio-economic performance of BRAC DTW program
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1995-11) Halder, Shantana Rani; Choudhury, Sadiqunnabi; Husain, A. M. Shahed
BRAC launched its irrigation program in early 1980s with low lift pump and then introduced the DTW program in 1984-85. Since 1990-91 BRAC has gone through a large-scale expansion of the program. In the last 1994-95 boro season 632 DTWs were operated in 89 RDP areas. The majority of these were not profitable during the season of operation. The cumulative loss of the BRAC DTW program up to 1995 was Tk. 53,716,151. The present study tries to investigate the viability of DTW program to: 1) determine the profitability of the schemes; 2) investigate the program feasibility; and 3) investigate social impact of the schemes. For the study seven RDP areas from seven regions were selected. A total of 22 schemes were taken as sample where every second scheme was non-profitable according to the 1993-94 program documentation. Schemes in operation for at least three years were selected and a total of 310 respondents were interviewed using open ended checklists. Respondents included: BRAC field staff, shareholders, dropout shareholders, farmers (user of DTW and non-user), elites and other respectable persons of the villages. Quantitative data was taken from different program documents. Qualitative information was collected through interviews group discussions. To assess the social benefits RRA techniques were applied. In 25 schemes of which 22 were in operation in the 1994-95 boro season only 9 were profitable in gross amount. The remaining 13 were not profitable on the basis of the actual revenue to be collected and the total cost of operation. Fourteen DTWs could be made profitable if total expected revenues were collected. The average command area of the schemes was 28.16 acres, only 60% of the target. Due to capacity loss in area coverage, averaging 18.8 acres per scheme, earnings from the actual command area covered only 95~ of total operational expenses. Because of shortfalls in collection, and high operational costs Tk. 89 per acre expected profit (if the collection was 100) turned to a loss of Tk. 91 per acre. These losses have been shifted indirectly as a subsidy to growers. Major factors affecting demand-supply behavior for water were: 1) low area coverage; 2) high water intake of the sandy land; 3) kutcha drain; 4) diesel operated DTWs having less water lifting capacity; 5) installation of the DTW in the wrong location; 6) access of non BRAC DTWs/STWs within or nearby the command area; and 7) mismanagement in water supply. The majority of shareholders in the schemes were female, which in the early stages of operation helped raise social status and create employment opportunities. These benefits could not be sustained, however, as systematic losses of the schemes made the shareholders inactive. Share surrender was common among shareholders for a variety of reasons: dropout from VO membership, non-profitability and uncertainty of the schemes, share price increases, inability to pay more than one installment per week, misunderstanding among shareholders about leadership, conflict with the members of the DTW management and operation committee, and dissatisfaction of family members. Shareholders surrendering their shares did not get any compensation from BRAC for their paid installment and did not wait for getting back the amount. Operation of BRAC DTW brought about a change in cropping patterns and increased paddy production. Increased cropping intensity and HYV boro cultivation created new employment opportunities in the lean season. But today cultivation of HYV boro is considered less cost-effective than cultivation of Robi crops like pulses, mustard, and wheat due to high prices of agricultural inputs.
Savings schemes for the rural poor: a comparative picture
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1995-08) Momberra, Normin; Zaman, Hassan
Socioeconomic development and human well-being: BRAC-ICDDRB joint research project, Matlab, Capacity development through training: the case of BRAC village organizations
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1996-03) Mahbub, Sharmin; Mannan, Manzurul; Khan, Shahriar R; Rana, Masud
This study intends to look at the impact of capacity development of BRAC group members through the activities of RDP (Rural Development Program). Capacity development is an important complementation of the credit program which is the largest and most important activity of RDP. Qualitative data were collected from 3 VOs of South Uddamdi village of MatIab thana where BRAC started working from early 1992. During analysis comparison as made between members who received training and members who did not receive. Results indicate that members chosen for training are largely selected by VO management committee in assistance with PA and PO. Members receiving training varied from 27% to 39% of VO members. Sometimes the same member received up to 5 training sessions on different topics but did not use more than two. There are large number of NTG members present in these VOs (an average of 27%) who influence the selection process. 83% of the trainers were above the age of 40 years. Also VO management committee members and small group leaders tended to receive most of the training. Statistically significant effect of skill training on savings/credit performance was noted. Group members who were provided with various inputs for capacity development such as training, credit and employment opportunities, are better-off socially and economically than those who did not get this opportunity. While looking for regularity of attendance, it was seen that members who received training were more regular in attending weekly meetings than their counterparts. Problems in utilizing training were lack of opportunities and support from fellow group members as well as staff. Operational problems associated with training includes inducing false hope and inadequate supplies of needed materials. Member’s perception about training was initially not favorable but later when the benefits started showing their interest increased. The study shows that members perceive the VO as a mechanism through which they may receive services and inputs from BRAC and exert pressure on BRAC staff to provide them with these inputs. This sometimes stress the relationship between the members and staff. However, VO members and BRAC staff pursue for increased interdependency to protect the interest of VOs from external pressures and incursions. In general, effective skill development had a positive impact on group members lives. Therefore, it may contribute towards sustainability of VOs and their role as an instrument of change. However, during VO formation a clear concept of mobilization should be provided to BRAC staff. The selection procedure of trainees could be made needs based and more participatory. Finally follow up of trainees is necessary to ensure proper application of training skills. The following recommendations are made: • During VO formation a clear concept of mobilization should be provided to the field based BRAC staff. They should refrain from creating false hopes and thereby losing the respect and trust of members which is necessary for any sustainable relationship. • The selection process should be more participatory and be based on the felt needs of it’s members, not oriented to fulfilling program’s target for the year. • More follow-up is necessary to ensure that the knowledge gained training is retained, shared, disseminated and applied by trainees in income earning activities.
Vulnerability of the rural poor to seasonal fluctuations in food consumption: findings from longitudinal data base
(Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC), 1995-02) Haque, Karimul
The study focuses on food consumption and vulnerability of the rural poor to seasonal variations in food consumption. The information for this study is derived from the Village Study Project (VSP) data on daily food consumption and household's income and expenditure in 13 VSP villages. The sample villages were selected from two clusters of BRAC programme, concentrations, namely Jessore and Jamalpur. The two regions have spatial, topographic differences along with variations in socio-economic indicators. In selecting the villages factors like income distribution pattern, occupational distribution, political characteristics , land ownership and distribution, labor force participation, pattern of economic activities, category of rural institutions, literacy rates, health and sanitation etc. were taken into consideration so as to ensure that these represent a typical Bangladeshi village . A total of 459 target households (RDP member and non-member) were purposely selected for the study. The dietary sample consisted of 1,865 target population in the two study locations. The study on dietary intake was conducted by 24 hour recall method of food eaten by individual members of the study households. The data presented in this study cover two agricultural periods the peak period and the lean period. The data in each period was collected in four rounds. The peak .period data was collected in Mid -December through Mid- February 1991 while the lean period data was ' collected in Mid-September through Mid November 1991-92. The pre Amon harvest time is defined as the peak season while the post Amon harvest time is defined as the lean season. Two seasons were selected purposively to capture seasonality of food and nutrient intake for both RDP member and non-member households. The study came up with a number of important findings. These are as follows: 1. The food consumption of both RDP and non-RDP group member was observed to be rice dominating in both the seasons. 2. In peak season Rice, alone contributes to 82% of total calorie and 63 % of total protein consumption for RDP member and 85% and 71% respectively for non-RDP member. 3. In lean season, Rice alone contributes to 82% of total calorie and 72% of total protein for RDP members and 85% and 70% respectively for non-members. As was observed that in both the reference seasons the major contributor to the daily intake of calorie and protein was rice. 4. It was observed that food consumption was not equally distributed between the seasons and between the rural poor belonging to the RDP member and non-member within the season. The consumption of food intake in peak season was higher than in the lean season. This difference in consumption between these two reference seasons can be attributed to a number of differentials particularly in terms of availability and scarcity of food, employment and income. 5. The food consumption for RDP member in both the seasons was observed to be better than the non-member. The overall I calorie for RDP member in peak and lean season was respectively was 2202 and 2007 kcals while for that of non-member it was respectively 2009 and 1827 kcals . The non-members were found to from greater nutritional stress compared to the RDP members. 6. In the same way the percentage share of rice to the total daily protein for both RDP member and non-member was higher in the peak season- indicating that the nutritional stress in the lean season was greater than the peak season and the life style of both RDP member and non-member in terms of daily diet was relatively little better in the peak season. 7. The calorie and protein consumption during the pre-Amon harvest was far below than that of what was recommended to be minimum (2310 kcals and 64 gram protein) for healthy life. The overall conclusion which follows from the analysis of data on calorie consumption that for both RDP member and non-member the peak season presents a better picture compared to the lean season because the diet in the lean season reveals one malnourished and underfed situation resulting from consumption of calorie far below poverty intake.
Tracking change: A standard of living index for Matlab
(BRAC-ICDDR,B Joint Research Project, 1995-12) Zaman, Hassan
This paper is intended to show how an index measuring changes in living standards can be constructed by applying a fundamental economic concept on household expenditure data. Data from a small scale panel survey on 240 households in the four clusters of the Matlab research project is used to show the methodology can be put into practice. The first cluster of villages are those which are covered by both BRAC's Rural Development Programme (RDP) and ICDDR,B's Maternal Child Health and Family Planning (MCH,FP). The second cluster of villages is where only BRAC operates in isolation the third where only ICDDRB implements its activities, and the fourth cluster is where neither organization works. However, inferences on the merits of BRAC and ICDDRB's inputs will be more relevant when the methodology is applied to the large expenditure survey currently being carried out by the BRAC-ICDDRB Matlab research team since individual indices can be created for each cell. The basic theoretical premise underlying this study is that price indices can be used as standard of living indices using an economic tool called 'revealed preference' theory. This theory uses actual household expenditures per person to yield insights into changes in household welfare as consumers 'reveal their preferences' through their expenditure decisions. After data cleaning the items used were rice, daal, vegetable, onion, sugar/guur, chicken, duck, spinach, edible oil, sari and children's clothes for 215 households. The index was computed for the four cells and the results suggest that there has been a rise in living standards in the comparison cell and no change in the other three cells. However these results need to be interpreted with extreme caution and the following qualifications are in order. Firstly the results are based only on two years of data and changes in living standards ought to be monitored only over a longer time period. More importantly the sample size is relatively small. Thirdly the bundle of goods used in this preliminary index ought to be widened to encompass more expenditure items. The issue of a relative scale with which to place the figures in context also needs to be deferred due to the fact that this is only the first of a series of indices which will be constructed using annual panel data. This research paper therefore intends to present a methodological framework from which inferences on standard of living can be made but does not intend to draw conclusions regarding the merits of the various development interventions due to the limited nature of the data. The paper also by no means intends to have the final word on the multifaceted 'standard of living' issue and recognizes that many facets of a household's quality of life may have been ignored by using only one indicator (expenditure) as the basis for comparison.
Problems of the women headed households
(BRAC-ICDDR,B Joint Research Project, 1995) Hossain, Naomi; Huda, Samiha
An overview and synthesis of studies on RDP with special reference to its impact on participants
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1995-11) Husain, A. M. Muazzam
A qualitative exploration of some socioeconomic issues in south uddomdi, Matlab
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1995-06) Mahbub, Amina; Mayeed, MaIiha; Roy, Rita Das
The qualitative study tested the feasibility of utilizing the participatory rural appraisal (PRA) to understand the baseline situation and the mechanism of change. The purpose of this study was to exploring the baseline situation regarding socioeconomic issues such as income, occupation, wealth category, kinship, power structure. Education, cohesiveness, poverty situation and coping in crisis in South Uddomdi village of Matlab. Apart from this basic objective the study also looked to: identify indigenous indicators of socioeconomic situation and poverty situation, investigate people's perception about changes in the community and mechanism of changes over time regarding the above issues and to seek out - areas for future research. The study was a repeated cross sectional one that took note of the situation prevailing at the current moment by using PRA methods. Matlab was specifically selected for the to learn about the socioeconomic impact of both BRAC and ICDDR,B interventions. The study reveals that the villagers have their own perception about economic stratification. According to them, stratification is mainly dependent on the regularity of income. So, in other words~ the job a man does for living and the degree of dignity assigned to it by the community determines his status. Most of the villagers are farmers who also do other miscellaneous jobs according to the season. Those who also do salaried job in addition to farming are the wealthiest ones. The day laborers or fisher men are normally looked down upon because they earn less. Bari or group of household is the base of social stratification. Status is depended on the prestige of a king group of a Bari. Traditionally prestige is constructed on educational attainment, solvency, manner and the role of that Bari in power practice. The villagers are experiencing that economic solvency and honor is mostly dependent on education; so they want their children to be educated, particularly the boys. Girl’s education is still not regarded as important. There are some traditional institutions in South Uddomdi that reflects the cohesiveness of the village; the mosques, as such which were built decades ago by the villagers and are still being maintained through the villager's joint contribution. Nowadays, there are youth clubs, cooperatives and other social institutions. External institutions like BRAC also works as an agent of change. The poverty situation of the villager's is influenced by the lean and pick agricultural periods, as the area is predominantly an agricultural one. The wealthy class is least affected by this because they have a continual flow of money generated multiple sources. The villagers identified Ashwin, Kartik, Falgun and Chaitra as the months of greatest poverty. The amount of work availability during this these seasons is very limited. The villagers shared some common crises. The biggest crisis is 'No job no food' followed by the dowry payment and the consequences'. But these are not the only crises. The villagers described how they take loans, sell property and seek help from neighbors, relatives and patrons to cope with the crises. A preferential order was also found about their crisis moment network depending on type of different crisis. To overcome a big crisis, most of the time the villagers were found to take loan with exorbitant rate of interest from the professional money lenders. The villagers want to pay back their loan as early as possible. So they sell their harvested crops, reduce the numbers of meals taken, sell their valuables or take out another loan. But very often they are found too destitute and broken to repay the loan. They even migrate to another village if they fail to repay loan. Poverty situation also influences the food intake of the vulnerable group; both the number of meals taken and the type of food taken are affected in the lean periods. Intra household food distribution discrepancies are far more common in rich households than in poor households. The villagers identified some major changes that have taken place in the village over the last two decades. They are: the introduction of IRRI dhaan cultivation, growing interest in education, practice of dowry as an integral part of marriage. Changing role in power practice, the increase in the use of fancy commodities in the recent years, emergence of a vulnerable class and the participation of women in income generating activities. The study also identified village organization (VO) and community level change of the VO members. But since the VOs in the village were then new, no mentionable change was observed. This attempt was taken just on a trial basis. As this study has provided very detailed qualitative baseline information supplementary to the quantitative one, it is hoped that a repeated cross sectional study on the same issues will help to identify the strategies that will be effective in bringing about socioeconomic change in the village. All the names in this text have been changed; but the words tell the real story•
A note on reasons of dropout from BRAC's matlab village organizations
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1995-11) HASSAN, GAZI MAHMUD; SHAHID, NAUREEN

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