ENHANCING LIVELIHOOD OF KHASIA TRIBE THROUGH SOCIAL SAFETY NET PROGRAMS IN SYLHET DISTRICT: A PERCEPTION ANALYSIS

AAN Talukder 1, S Haque 2, SA Maruf 1 and JU Ahmed 1*
Journal of the Sylhet Agricultural University, Volume 8, Issue 1, 2021, Pages 39-51

Abstract:

This research work was conducted to assess the livelihood status of the Khasia tribe and their perception of the impact of the social safety net programs (SSNPs) on their livelihood assets. A total of 120 respondents were interviewed using a structured questionnaire from Gowainghat and Jaintiapur of Sylhet District. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. Descriptive statistics and a sustainable livelihood framework, ‘Asset pentagon’ were used for data analysis. The household-level livelihood assessment reveals that the annual average income of the agricultural household (Tk.106346.67) was higher than the average annual non-agricultural household income (Tk.79250.98). Again, the average annual expenditure of the agricultural household (Tk.96039.44) was higher than non-agricultural household (Tk.55921.04). However, the savings of non-agricultural households (Tk.23329.94) were higher than agricultural households (Tk.10307.67). In analyzing the livelihood pattern using different asset categories, the study reveals that SSNPs had significantly improved educational facility (77.5%), medical facility (50.8%), social group participation (56.7%), self-managerial ability (59.2%), social accessibility (52.5%), cash in hand (41.7%), and cash in the bank (46.7%) in the study area. The study recommends SSNPs such as vulnerable group feeding (VGF), vulnerable group development (VGD), widow allowances, and disability allowances for more effective support. These findings will be supportive of improving the livelihood condition of the Khasia tribe as well as other indigenous communities and disadvantaged groups of Bangladesh.

Keywords:

Livelihood, Khasia tribe, Social Safety Net Programs (SSNPs), Sustainable livelihood framework.


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AAN Talukder 1, S Haque 2, SA Maruf 1 and JU Ahmed 1*. 2021. ENHANCING LIVELIHOOD OF KHASIA TRIBE THROUGH SOCIAL SAFETY NET PROGRAMS IN SYLHET DISTRICT: A PERCEPTION ANALYSIS, Journal of the Sylhet Agricultural University 8(1): 39-51.