Income and expenditure distribution pattern of sunamgonj haor area: implications for poverty alleviation

Abstract

Fishing income (52 per cent) was the main source of income and food expenditure (85 percent) was the main sector of expenditure of the Sunamgonj haor fishermen. Absolute poor was about 48 per cent by Direct Calorie Intake (DCI) method and about 49 per cent and 60per cent fishermen (for income measurement unit) and 37 per cent and 55 per cent (for expenditure measurement unit) below the lower and upper poverty lines by Cost of Basic Need (CBN) method respectively. The poverty level of the haor fishermen for expenditure measurement unit is lower than income measurement unit. Boat and defecation facilities were significant by odds ratio and odds ratio confidence interval. Education status of the household head and ownership of cultivated land were significant only by odds ratio. Govt. and other agencies (NGO) may consider the significant factors to increase the socio-economic conditions and particularly to reduce poverty level of the haor fishermen.