an Eldis Resource
Addressing extreme poverty in a sustainable manner: evidence from CFPR programme
Sustainability achieved in income, employment and food security in a Bangladeshi anti-poverty drive
Authors:
N.C. Das; F.A. Misha
Publisher:
Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee , 2010
Challenging the Frontiers of Poverty Reduction (CFPR) is an innovative programme that was initiated in 2002 to address extreme poverty in Bangladesh. Studies indicate that the programme has had significant positive impacts on the livelihoods of the participant households, but whether this impact is sustainable or not remains the key research question. This study explores sustainability of livelihood impacts of the first phase of CFPR.
The author underlines that sustainable livelihood improvement of the ultra poor is the key objective of CFPR. In this respect, the paper draws the following findings:
- the programme impacts on income, employment, food security and asset holding were mostly sustainable in the long-run
- magnitude of impact on per capita income was found to be increased over time
- livestock and poultry holding increased substantially among the programme participants due to mainly transfer of these assets by the programme and the increase sustained in the long-run
- although the programme did not have significant impact on education in the short-run, in the long-run it had a modest positive impact on boys’ primary enrolment
- participant households increased their health expenses and forwent more working days during illness due to programme participation
Furthermore, the document concludes that determination, confidence, social networks, asset management skills, and hard work of the participant women are very important aspects. Indeed, they are the key factors for effectively using the supports provided by the CFPR programme.
