IMPACT OF BRAC MICRO-CREDIT PROGRAM ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC UPLIFI'MENT OF RURAL WOMEN BENEFICIARIES

Abstract

micro credit program measured by computing change in income, change in food consumption, change in housing environment and change in decision-making ability of the credit receivers after their involvement in BRAC micro credit program. Attempts were also made to describe some of the selected characteristics of the women beneficiaries and their relationships with the impact of BRAC micro credit program. The income, food consumption, housing environment and decision-making ability of the credit receivers increased significantly after their involvement with BRAC micro credit program. The average annual income, per capita daily calorie intake, housing environment and decision-making ability score of the respondents increased at 5.03 thousand taka, 218.90 kilo calories and 9.56 and 1.81 respectively after involvement with BRAC micro credit program. Before involvement 35 percent of the respondents had Kutcha Ghar with tin roof, but after involvement the percentage was 60. Nineteen percent of the respondents used half sanitary toilet before involvement where as after involvement this percentage turned into 34 percent. Before involvement with BRAC micro-credit program 31 percent of the respondents' families had own tube well but after involvement in the program this percentage raised to 54. The education, farm size, cosmopoliteness credit received, and attitude towards BRAC micro credit program had significant relationship with the impact of micro­ credit program. However, age, family size and duration of involvement with BRAC micro credit program of the respondents did not show any significant relationship with the impact of BRAC micro credit program. High rate of interest identified as the main problem of the respondents.