IMPACT OF TMSS MICRO-CREDIT PROGRAM ON THE WOMEN BENEFICIARIES

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of micro-credit program on the women beneficiaries measured by computing change in income, change in food consumption and change in housing environment (i.e. change in housing unit, change in drinking water sources, toilet condition and change in family assets) of the beneficiaries after their involvement with micro-credit program of TMSS. Attempts were also made to describe some of the selected characteristics of the women beneficiaries and their relationship with impact of micro-credit. The study was conducted at Bogra upazila under Rogra district. Further than make it clear 2410 group members of 184 groups, 100 group members of 22 groups were randomly selected which constituted the sample. Data were collected a period of 30 days 27th February to 29ih March 2009 using structured interview schedule. Pearson's correlation co-efficient was used to dctcrmine the relationships between the dependent and independent variables. Greater part (66%) of the respondents could change their living standard in medium scale compared to (21%) of them could change in low scale and (13%) of them could change in high scale after taking part with TMSS micro credit program. Therefore it may be accomplished that there is a prospect to increase the social status of the beneficiaries by increasing more credit facilities for them. The average annual income of the respondent households increased to tk. 55.86 thousand from tk. 46.48 thousand. The average per capita per day caloric intake increased to k.cal 2194.26 from k.call878.34. The housing environment condition of 63 percent (56 percent medium and 7 percent high) of the beneficiaries has been improved followed by katcha ghar with tin roof. paka ghar, sanitary toilet condition and drinking water Jitcilities. Age, education, family size had not any significant relationship with the impact of TMSS micro credit program. Farm size, annual savings, cosmopotiteness. credit received, credit utilization, duration of involvement and attitude of the respondents had positive significant relationship with the impact of TMSS micro credit program. New loan is not issued until final repayment of installments as identi lied by the beneficiaries is the main problem. Based on Ihet, it is to be concluded that micro-credit programme has a considerable number of positive impacts in reducing poverty and improving livelihood of the rural women. In fact, there has been an exaggeration of impact of this program on women development and empowemlent in l3angladeshi society.