Livestock based livelihoods and pathways out of poverty: the case of smallholder farmers in Bangladesh

This paper evaluates livelihoods of smallholder livestock farmers who were beneficiaries of a poverty alleviation programme involving longer term intervention towards building the strength of stakeholders such as government department, NGOs, village organisations and women beneficiaries. Data are drawn from a survey of 400 women farmers in 2006 and 2008. These farmers have been the members of BRAC, a well known NGO in Bangladesh. Poverty profiles, transition matrices and regression analysis drawn from asset-base framework are used to analyze data. A number of key questions related to poverty transition through livestock based activities, heterogeneity in livelihood choice and its impact on household welfare, extent of poverty reduction using different strategies etc. are addressed.Poverty, Women and livestock, Livelihood Strategies, Asset-base Framework, Bangladesh, Food Security and Poverty, O1, O3, Q13, Q55,

Migration and Human Development in India

The paper discusses how gaps in both the data on migration and the understanding of the role of migration in livelihood strategies and economic growth in India, have led to inaccurate policy prescriptions and a lack of political commitment to improving the living and working conditions of migrants. Field evidence from major migrant employing sectors is synthesised to show that circular migration is the dominant form of economic mobility for the poor; especially the lower castes and tribes. The authors argue that the human costs of migration are high due to faulty implementation of protective legislation and loopholes in the law and not due to migration per se. The paper discusses child labour in specific migration streams in detail stressing that this issue needs to be addressed in parallel. It also highlights the non-economic drivers and outcomes of migration that need to be considered when understanding its impacts. The authors calculate that there are roughly 100 million circular migrants in India contributing 10% to the national GDP. New vulnerabilities created by the economic recession are discussed. Detailed analysis of village resurveys in Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh are also presented and these show conclusively that migration is an important route out of poverty.India; circular migration; caste; tribe; child labour; human development

Migration and Human Development in India

The paper discusses how gaps in both the data on migration and the understanding of the role of migration in livelihood strategies and economic growth in India, have led to inaccurate policy prescriptions and a lack of political commitment to improving the living and working conditions of migrants. Field evidence from major migrant employing sectors is synthesised to show that circular migration is the dominant form of economic mobility for the poor; especially the lower castes and tribes. The authors argue that the human costs of migration are high due to faulty implementation of protective legislation and loopholes in the law and not due to migration per se. The paper discusses child labour in specific migration streams in detail stressing that this issue needs to be addressed in parallel. It also highlights the non-economic drivers and outcomes of migration that need to be considered when understanding its impacts. The authors calculate that there are roughly 100 million circular migrants in India contributing 10% to the national GDP. New vulnerabilities created by the economic recession are discussed. Detailed analysis of village resurveys in Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh are also presented and these show conclusively that migration is an important route out of poverty.India; circular migration; caste; tribe; child labour; human development

Poverty transition through targeted programme: the case of Bangladesh Poultry Model

Poverty transition through a capacity development programme called the Bangladesh Poultry Model is assessed using self-assessment dimension in a quasi experiment framework. Current poverty situation is compared with money metric measure. The programme involves longer term intervention towards building the strength of stakeholders such as government department, NGOs, village organisations and women beneficiaries. A number of key questions related to poverty transition through poultry based activities, heterogeneity in livelihood choice and its impact on household welfare, extent of poverty reduction etc. are answered for policy recommendations. Data are drawn from a survey of 400 beneficiary households in 2006; about 50% of them are survivors in the programme. Poverty profiles, transition matrices and regression analysis using asset-base framework are used to analyse data. Results are discussed along with recommendations and policy implications. Adaptation of the programme in several countries is also reviewed briefly using published information to discuss wider implications.Bangladesh, Poultry, Poverty, Asset-base Framework, O3, Q16,

Land Rental Markets in India: Efficiency and Equity Considerations

Despite the fact that land rental is restricted to varying degrees in India, the participation in this market is widespread and it is observed to operate relatively efficiently in 12 villages studied in Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The estimated probit models predicted that the rental market transferred land to those with relatively smaller holdings, but greater ability to make productive use of land, more assets to invest, more adults available for labour and fewer off-farm opportunities. Also land is rented out predominantly to younger farmers and to farmers not involved in off-farm jobs. Renting in is predicted to be relatively higher in the villages which are remote and weakly integrated into mainstream infrastructure and institutions. Land rental markets make an important contribution towards land use redistribution in the villages where land rental is high and where land distribution without land rental is relatively more unequal. The study recommends that existing policies restricting land rental should be eased, and investment towards infrastructure development and off-farm employment generating projects expanded.land rental markets, economic efficiency, equity, India, Land Economics/Use,

Determinants of livelihood choices: an empirical analysis from rural Bangladesh

The study identifies socio-economic determinants of livelihood choices of rural households in Bangladesh (4,195 households from 139 villages) by applying a multinomial logit model of occupational choice and a multivariate Tobit model that allows for jointness in decision making. Results reveal that households choose multiple livelihood options. A number of socio-economic factors and resources at the household level as well as the state of rural infrastructure significantly determine households’ livelihood choice. Overall, resource-rich and educated households engage in diversified livelihoods and rural infrastructure promotes such diversification. Female-headed households fail to participate in any of the livelihood categories and consequently earn significantly lower income. Policy implications include investment in rural infrastructure, irrigation, rural electrification, education, livestock resources, as well as targeting of female-headed households, for example, creation of a hired labour market and skills/education programmes for females

Association of kisspeptin in patients with poly cystic ovarian syndrome

Background: Poly cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex multifactorial disorder, affecting millions of women worldwide. Kisspeptin, a hypothalamic peptide encoded by the KISS1 gene, is widely reported as a key factor in the regulation of luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion, which may be potentially involved with the development of PCOS. The aim of the study was to estimate the serum kisspeptin level in PCOS patients and evaluate the association of kisspeptin with other biochemical, and hormonal parameters in women with PCOS. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at the department of reproductive endocrinology and infertility, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh from August 2020 to July 2021. A total of 90 patients between age 18-30 years were enrolled in this study. Data was collected on variables of interest by using the structured questionnaire designed for interview, observation, clinical examination, and biochemical investigation of the patients and analyzed by using the t-test, non-parametric test (Mann-Whitney U test) and chi-square test as appropriate. Results: We found no significant difference between PCOS & control group, but acanthosis nigricans (AN), waist hip (W:H) ratio were statistically significant in PCOS group. We found serum LH (11.98±6.29 mIU/ml), LH: FSH (1.71±0.92), AMH (10.09±3.8 ng/ml), fasting insulin (26.53±28.34 µU/ml), ovarian volume (16.91±4.57), was significantly higher in PCOS patients. Kisspeptin value in PCOS patients was 85.92±56.59 pg/ml and control group was 63.74±43.16 pg/ml. In the PCOS group, there was a positive correlation between kisspeptin and LH, AMH, and ovarian volume. Conclusions: Serum kisspeptin levels were similar in women with or without PCOS but positively correlated with ovarian volume, serum LH and AMH in PCOS patients

Improvement of semen quality after treatment with folic acid and zinc in subfertile men in a tertiary hospital

Background: The 50% of all male infertility is idiopathic, and there is currently no recognized treatment. The effectiveness of a nonprescription nutraceutical comprising eight nutrients on sperm quality in males with idiopathic infertility was studied. The aim of the study was to evaluate improvement of semen quality after treatment with folic acid and zinc in subfertile men. Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out in the infertility unit, department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib medical university (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2018 to June 2020. Approval from local ethics committee was obtained for this study.Results: One hundred and twenty-five male subfertile patients were included in this study. Most men, 99 (79.2%) belong to more than 30 years, followed by 26 (20.8%) less than 30 years, range was 25 to 50 years. Mean ± SD age was 35.3±5.1 years. Rapid linear (RL) before treatment were 16.06±14.46 (mean ± SD) and after treatment were 22.82±13.40 (mean ± SD). Slow linear (SL) before treatment were 17.56±12.06 (mean ± SD) and after treatment were 19.75±9.25 (mean ± SD). Non progressive (NP) before treatment were 10.82±8.95 (mean ± SD) and after treatment were 10.12±7.34 (mean ± SD). Morphology of the sperm before treatment were 19.43±15.48 (mean ± SD) and after treatment were 30.18±19.12 (mean ± SD).Conclusions:  Our research findings fully correspond to the above research results, so it can be said that treatment of subfertile men with micronutrients like folic acid and zinc sulfate causes increase of semen quality and thus plays a key role in treatment of male subfertility