IMPACT OF ASA MICRO-CREDIT PROGRAM TOW ARDS SOCIO­ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL WOMEN IN MONOHARDI UPAZILA OF NARSINGDI DISTRICT

Abstract

The main focus of this study was to determine and describe the impact of ASA micro credit program on socio-economic development of rural women and to explore the relationship between the selected characteristics and impact of micro credit of ASA. Socio-economic development was measured by computing the different dimensions of change, such as change in income, change in food consumption, change in standard of living and change in decision-making ability of the credit receivers after their involvement in ASA micro credit program. The average annual income, per capita daily calorie intake, standard of living and decision making ability score of the respondents increased at 4.62 thousand taka, 144.87 kilo calories, 0.94 and I .50 respectively after involvement with ASA micro credit program. Before involvement, 67 per cent of the respondents had mud-builz houses with tin roof, after involvement the percentage was 74. Similarly 33 per cent of the respondents used half sanitary toilet before involvement where after involvement this percentage turned into 51 per cent. Before involvement with ASA micro-credit program, 19 per cent of the respondents' families had own tube well but after program this percentage was 38. The education, farm size, annual savings, cosmopoliteness, credit received, duration of involvement with ASA micro credit program and attitude towards ASA micro credit program had significant relationship with the impact of micro-credit. However, age and family size of the respondents did not show any significant relationship with the impact of ASA micro credit. The inadequate supply of credit facilities against their demand was identified as respondents' main problem and high rate of interest was the prime problem in case of repayment of loan. Based on the finding, it was concluded that micro-credit programme of ASA showed great potential for socio­ economic development on its beneficiaries. Therefore, it may be expanded all over Bangladesh for socio-economic development as well as poverty alleviation of the rural poor women.