Research Reports (2013): Economic Studies, Vol - XXX

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    Rice biodiversity in Bangladesh: adoption, diffusion and disappearance of varieties: a statistical report from farm survey in 2005
    (Brac University, 2013-02) Hossain, Mahabub; Jaim, WMH; Alam, M Shamsul; Rahman, ANM Mahfuzur
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    Eradicating extreme poverty in Bangladesh: national strategies and activities
    (Brac University, 2013-04) Qayum, Nayma; Samadder, Mrinmoy
    Although Bangladesh has achieved fairly steady economic growth, as of 2011, almost half of its population still lived in extreme poverty. As a result, the Government of Bangladesh and its development partners have recently started to target the extreme poor in many development policies and programmes. As part of a BRAC Advocacy Unit project titled National Policy Advocacy for CFPR-TUP, this study maps the current status of national-level policies and programmes that address extreme poverty in Bangladesh. Research methods include analysis of national strategies, project evaluations, academic literature, print media, and interviews with national stakeholders - academics, policymakers, development practitioners, and journalists. The study found existing poverty classifications as dated, and overlapping. Mostly linear in nature, these classifications did not represent categorical sub-groups of the poor. Development actors implemented multiple, overlapping programmes which often failed to distinguish between short-term social protection, and longer-term poverty alleviation. Increased dialogue between stakeholders, sharing organizational experiences, and collaboration on a national strategy can improve the quality of extreme poverty initiatives in Bangladesh.
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    Environmental compliance of BRAC microfinance enterprises: an assessment
    (BRAC, 2013-04) Akter, Tahera; Dey, Nepal C
    BRAG is concerned about environmental aspects in its development programmes. In this backdrop, a cross-sectional comparative study was designed to assess environmental performance in BRAG microfinance enterprises. Total 1200 borrowers (579 Dabi, 621 Progoti) involved in various incomes generating activities were randomly selected from 30 sadar upazilas (divisidnal capital of sub-districts). The analysis was conducted on selected environmental indicators such as use of raw materials and chemicals, waste management, environmental pollution, knowledge about key environmental aspects etc. Statistical techniques such as frequency distribution, chi-square and t-tests were used to 'get proportion of values and to compare the differences between indicator values. :The findings revealed that above 90% respondents received information from BRAG staff about environmental pollution, tree plantation, waste management, use of safe water and latrine, keeping hand washing materials, and so on. Use of alternative fue~ (79%) and raw materials (79.6%) were relatively less received information from BRAG staff. Compared to the other types, mainly degradable raw materials were used jn both enterprises, while the use was higher in Dabi (187.9%) than Progoti (161%). Thus, degradable wastes were generated higher in Dabi (213.8%) than Progotf (20?8%). Disposal of different types of wastes at fixed and safe place was found higher in Progoti than Qabi enterprises (e.g., degradable solid waste: Dabi 55.8%, Progoti 71%; non-degradable waste: Dabi 34.8%, Progoti 45.8%; liquid waste: Dabi 39.6%, Progoti 52.2%). Probability of environmental pollution was observed less in both Dabi and Progoti enterprises. Majority of Oabi and Progoti enterprises used chemical materials in their business activities, but adoption of safety measures was foond very less in both enterprises implying exposure to health risks. Fixed and safe disposal of wastes and adoption of safety measures during handling chemical materials are imperative to avoid environmental pollution and health risks.
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    Can basic entrepreneurship transform the economic lives of the poor?
    (BRAC, 2013-04) Bandiera, Oriana; Burgess, Robin; Das, Narayan C; Gulesci, Selim; Rasul, Imran; Sulaiman, Munshi
    Does the lack of capital and skills drive occupational choice and poverty? We provide evidence from a large scale and long term randomized control trial of a programme that simultaneously provides assets and training to the poorest women in treatment communities in rural Bangladesh. The evaluation tracks 7000 eligible women over four years in treatment and control communities. We find the programme transforms the occupational choices of the poor: treated women spend 92% more hours in selfemployment activities, and 26% less hours in wage employment. This shift from insecure wage labour to self-employment is associated with a 38% increase in earnings. The eligible women, who were largely asset-less and illiterate agricultural labourers at baseline, overtake the near-poor and begin to close the gap with middle class women on dimensions such as occupational choice, regularity of earnings, household per capita expenditure and happiness. Inculcating basic entrepreneurship, where the most disadvantaged women take on business activities which hitherto had been the preserve of non-poor women, is shown to be a powerful means of transforming the economic lives of the poor.