Research Reports (2003): Economic Studies, Vol - XIX

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10361/12978

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Process documentation of selecting the ultra poor for CFPR/TUP Programme
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2003-07) Noor, Marufia; Mamun-ur-Rashid; Shihab, Abu Muhammad; Parveen, Rezvina; Rahman, Hasanur; Ali, Tariq
ll1e targeting process for the CFPR/TUP programme aims to bring together diverse strands of knowledge on poverty (indigenous, local, programmatic and academic) in identifying and selecting CFPR/TUP beneficiaries (tvfatin and Halder 2002). The targeting process is, therefore, multi-staged and involves a variety of actors and processes. The targeting process has four stages. Through each stage of the targeting process, diverse streams of knowledge arc combined to identify a smaller and more defined sample from which ultra poor beneficiaries may be selected. The following are the targeting stages: Rapport Building PRA Meeting Survey and Preliminary Selection Final Selection Four researchers were trained in Dhaka in Process Documentation Research (PDR) specifically and Qualitative Research, generally. They were then sent to PDR sites around the country to document the various stages of the targeting process. In between March 19, 2003 and April 30, 2003, the researchers sent back 28 reports covering 108 events/activities/stages to the Head Office. These process documentation reports have been consolidated into this final report. The process documentation revealed the wealth and diversity of activities and interactions that constitute the various stages of the targeting process. We shall look at the trends and patterns in each of these stages separately, before commenting on the broader themes and issues that ha,·e emerged from the process documentation.
Cause and effect analysis membership discontinuation: a case study
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2003-08) Hossain, Altaf
Research and evaluation division of BRAC initiated the case study to look into the dropout matter for in-depth understanding of the causes and effect and policy implication of the issue. Two BDP area offices, one from low and one from high NGO concentrated area, were selected. Six VOs were selected including 3 from each area. Twelve dropout members from selected 6 YOs were taken for the case studies. Selected PRA techniques' such as, group discussion, physical mapping, in-depth interview, and wealth ranking exercises were used to collect information from dropout members, YO members, area office staff, and other community people. A questionnaire survey was also done on l 08 dropout members on some selected indicators. The study shows that the multidimensional reasons interplay, aggravate and give grounds for dropout. Inflexible savings and credit management policy, and various deductions are found to be the most common internecine causes of member's discontentment and dropout. In spite of long time membership, some members remain vulnerable to big economic and health related crisis and a little shock plunge them into dropout. Some members are also dropping out to join other NGOs to minimize opportunity cost in terms of distance, deductions etc. Well being status of some dropout members was at risk as their nutrition intake decreased, household assets diminished compared to when they were BRAC members and, in some cases, social support also decreased. Comparatively poorer members were exposed to vulnerability. While, some other dropout members who joined other NGOs experienced continuous economic improvement started during BRAC membership.
Poverty outreach and BRAC’s microfinance interventions programme impact and sustainability
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2003) Halder, Shantana R
This paper is based on the experience and evolution of a large microfinance provider BRAC - which is working in Bangladesh. The paper stresses that poverty is not homogeneous, but is manifested in different ways and in different contexts. It considers BRAC's response to this broader understanding of poverty in Bangladesh, referring particularly to the ways in which specific programmes were tailored and adapted to embrace new information about client needs and behaviour. The study goes on to discuss impact assessment studies conducted on BRAC's main poverty alleviation programme in rural areas - Rural Development Programme - that provided significant data to substantiate BRAC's positive effect on poverty alleviation, as well as providing information that led to subsequent programmatic shills in emphasis.
Poverty outreach and BRAC’s microfinance interventions: programme impact and sustainability
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2003) Halder, Shantana R
This paper is based on the experience and evolution of a large microfinance provider BRAC - which is working in Bangladesh. The paper stresses that poverty is not homogeneous, but is manifested in different ways and in different contexts. It considers BRAC's response to this broader understanding of poverty in Bangladesh, referring particularly to the ways in which specific programmes were tailored and adapted to embrace new information about client needs and behaviour. The study goes on to discuss impact assessment studies conducted on BRAC's main poverty alleviation programme in rural areas - Rural Development Programme - that provided significant data to substantiate BRAC's positive effect on poverty alleviation, as well as providing information that led to subsequent programmatic shills in emphasis.
Dairy production, consumption and marketing in Bangladesh
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2003-09) Halder, Shantana R; Barua, Proloy
This study was a part of RED-Imperial College joint research, conducted in July 2003. The broad objective of this study is to review the existing milk production, consumption and marketing situation in Bangladesh and to develop policy issues on improvement of milk marketing. It is revealed that milk production in the country has been increasing but not sufficiently to meet the large demand. Like production, per capita consumption has also increased but its level across the country is still very low. Worryingly milk is another product where consumption appears to be declining for the poor as middle/upper income urban markets capture the available milk supply. The increase in collection networks both NGO and private have encouraged increased production but this has not increased consumption at the local level. In this case remoteness from markets can be an advantage nutritionally for poor producers, as they are likely to produce for home and neighbourhood consumption. Yet producers with good market access fail to fully benefit from the high urban demand, as the intermediaries capture the high margins. The most vulnerable to declining milk consumption are market dependent poor groups, the landless rural poor and slum dwellers. The urban market for processed and packaged milk products, though still very small, is expanding rapidly. Collection and distribution networks, together with chilling centres and refrigerated transport infrastructure are developing under private sector and NGO control. These provide hygienic, high quality products, whilst also providing a range of employment opportunities throughout the sector. If development could proceed so that further employment was generated whilst expanding availability to a wider range of consumers this could be a positive development.
Verification and refinement of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI): 1st year trial monitoring report of BRAC sub-project areas
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2003-12) Husain, A.M. Muazzam; Barua, Proloy; Halder, Shantana R
We conducted SRI trial in two Upazilas of Noakhali district. The farmers practiced both SRI and conventional cultivation at a time to compare the results regarding production cost, yield and net return. Farmers applied less chemical fertilizers in SRI plots compared to conventional plots, which is expected. They did not use pesticides but adopted IPM cultural method for both practices indicating no attack of pests. Per hectare irrigation cost was more or less same for both practices though it was supposed to be less for SRI method. Water supplier might have counted frequency instead of water volume or there might have been system loss of water in SRI plots. SRI farmers drastically saved seed cost (67%) compared to conventional farmers. Famers weeded their conventional plot by hand while they used hand and also could use the rotary weeder for SRI plot due to wider spacing. It permitted soil aeration, better root development, more effective tiller and more panicle, which ultimately increase the yield in SRI method. During the last Boro season (2002-03) SRI farmers got 43% more yield than conventional one. Yield of straw was 39% higher in SRI compare to traditional method. Per hectare production cost in SRI was 9% less than conventional method. So higher yield and lower cost of production in SRI increased their net return to around 103% over that of traditional practice. Benefit - cost ratio was 2.87 and 1.84 for SRl and conventional method respectively.
Knowledge, attitude and perceptions of Bangladesh civil society on rice biotechnology research
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2003-10) Husain, A.M. Muazzam; Bose, Manik L.; Hossain, Mahabub; Barua, Proloy; Halder, Shantana R
Poultry against extreme poverty: an early assessment of poultry in CFPR/TUP
(Research and Evaluation Division, BRAC, 2003) Dada, Ayesha; Matin, Imran

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