Social capital for disaster risk reduction and management with empirical evidences from Sundarbans of India

Social capital is a resource which is embedded in every community and it has been observed that it plays an important role in different stages of a disaster. Social capital can be crucial for a community to survive till outside help arrives, in event of a disaster, and many a time it is the only resource that the community can mobilize to respond and recover. This research paper reviewed the contribution of social capital with different empirical evidences from cases across the world and brought it into the perspective of the study area in Sundarbans, India. The study area is frequented by disasters like tropical cyclones and surges, it was observed that the network at the community level is crucial for survival of the community. It also was observed that social capital acts like an informal insurance in cases of small scale disasters. Social capital is more relevant in this remote study area as it compensates for the gaps in basic infrastructure and proper disaster management institutions. Thus, proper mobilization of social capital can really be an asset to communities living in remote hazardous area

Gender and Rural Poverty in Myanmar: A Micro Level Study in the Dry Zone

The study investigates the poverty incidence, access to resources, and the factors influencing income of both male and female-headed households in the dry zone of Myanmar. A household survey was conducted in six villages with a sample of 220 households in 2003. The Cost of Basic Needs (CBN) method was applied in constructing the absolute poverty line. By applying the absolute poverty line of 252 Kyats per person per day, the female-headed households are more likely to be poor than the male-headed households with or without household size adjustment. Results of the regression analysis revealed that average per capita income of rural households is significantly influenced by 8 independent variables. They are: gender of household head, household size, land holding size, degraded land size, cattle heads, labour force, sources of income, and irrigation water. Moreover, the separate regression analyses were run for male and female-headed households. In addition to the some common significant variables (land, labour, cattle, degraded land, and household size), female-headed households’ income is significantly influenced by training attendance and schooling years of household head. In male-headed households, age of household head, number of income sources and irrigation water are highly linked with the average per capita income. The gender focus rural development strategies should be adopted for promoting the welfare status of both male and femaleheaded households in the dry zone

Rural Urban Disparity in and around Surabaya Region, Indonesia

A shift in development towards the outskirts of urban areas changes the characteristics of the region and can ultimately lead to urban disparities in economic and social terms. The current study has tried to divide the study area covers the areas of surrounding Surabaya as urban, peri urban and rural areas with reference to three time periods (2008, 2009 and 2010) and shows that the typology in the study area changes each year. Furthermore, based on the theil index analysis, using a number of pre-prosperous household for social disparity and per capita GDP (Gross Domestic Product) for economic disparity shows that urban and peri urban areas have medium and high level of social and economic disparity compare with rural area which have low levels of disparity. Through multivariate correlation analysis can be seen that the health center distance, electricity and water users effecting the social disparity. Moreover, the financial, industrial, electricity, trade, construction, transportation, agriculture, and mining sector's productivity have a significant relationship with the economic disparity. Health facilities, water and electricity improvement strategies to be followed for reducing the social disparity. Electricity improvement, water, services sector, transportation infrastructure, and industrial development to reduce the economic disparity

Farmer livelihood assets contributing to the sustainable livelihoods of smallholder livestock farmers in the Northeast Region of Thailand

This study assesses the livelihood sustainability of smallholder livestock farmers in the Northeast Region of Thailand. Three livestock farming systems, ruminant (RM), non-ruminant (NRM), and mixed livestock farming (MF) were analysed. A total of 205 households were sampled in a district that focuses on livestock farming. Linear discriminant analysis was used to identify significant contributing factors to sustainability. For RM and MF, the income-expenditure ratio was identified as a significant factor, and for NRM the significant factor is adequate experience with livestock rearing. The results suggest that livestock farming is a good livelihood option for smallholders. Human assets are vital and need to be improved through training supported by appropriate information systems for livelihood improvement. The concerned agencies, particularly government and local organizations, could be more proactively involved in terms of policy planning, project formulation, and implementation

Rural poverty alleviation through NGO interventions in Bangladesh: how far is the achievement?

Purpose – This paper seeks to analyse the current poverty situation and poverty alleviation efforts of the NGOs in Bangladesh with emphasis on the impacts of two NGO programmes in two villages of Barisal district. Design/methodology/approach – This research has employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The research has primarily used first-hand empirical data. In order to substantiate primary data, relevant secondary information has also been used. Data were collected through household survey by applying both open- and closed-ended questionnaires. With a view to analysing data, inferential as well as descriptive statistics have been applied. Findings – The findings revealed that the economic condition of the poor in the study areas has not improved much when judged against some selected indicators, namely, income, food and non-food expenditure, productive and non-productive asset, food security, and employment creation. The Foster Greer Thorbecke index shows that the majority of the NGO beneficiaries remained below the poverty line in terms of income and the overwhelming majority of them remained below the underemployment line (less than 260 days of work in a year). The regression analysis shows that the income of the households is determined by landholding size, family labour, days suffered from morbidities and employment opportunity. The qualitative data on the perception of beneficiaries on the causes of poverty endorse this finding. Originality/value – Controversies over the issue of widespread poverty in Bangladesh have been revolving among the government, NGOs and the donor agencies as well. NGOs have been claiming the entire success of the economic wellbeing made to the rural poor. However, this study has directly challenged their claims by casting an empirical lens on the impact of their interventions. This study has detected the paucities of the NGO interventions and gaps between their objectives and their achievement.Bangladesh, Government agencies, Poverty, Rural regions

Visitor satisfaction in agritourism and its implications for agritourism farmers in Sri Lanka

The aim of this paper is to evaluate visitor satisfaction in agritourism and to understand the implications for agritourism farmers in Sri Lanka. This has been done following the Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory. There are 21 attributes under five different aspects selected for the satisfaction measurement. This study also provides a comparative picture of local and foreign visitors. The study has been conducted on three randomly selected agritourism destinations. Results reveal that out of 21 attributes, nine attributes emerge at the satisfied level, and there were ten indifferences and two dissatisfied. Further, the overall satisfaction levels of both groups of visitors were at moderate levels and comparatively a higher level of satisfaction of local visitors can be observed over foreign visitors. Although the possibility of revisiting the destinations is low, recommending the destinations to others was high for both groups. However, both groups emphasized the necessity of improving appropriate educational programs, entertainment activities, variation of farm products with processing, availability of direct sales to visitors, increasing the efficiency of staff members, upgrading the hygiene and sanitation situation, and improving the road conditions leading to the destinations in order to enhance the satisfaction of visitors. The findings of this research may be useful in developing policy and undertaking promotional measures for intensifying agritourism sector, as this sector has a place within the current focus of rural development in Sri Lanka

Rural Urban Disparity in and around Surabaya Region, Indonesia

A shift in development towards the outskirts of urban areas changes the characteristics of the region and can ultimately lead to urban disparities in economic and social terms. The current study has tried to divide the study area covers the areas of surrounding Surabaya as urban, peri urban and rural areas with reference to three time periods (2008, 2009 and 2010) and shows that the typology in the study area changes each year. Furthermore, based on the theil index analysis, using a number of pre-prosperous household for social disparity and per capita GDP (Gross Domestic Product) for economic disparity shows that urban and peri urban areas have medium and high level of social and economic disparity compare with rural area which have low levels of disparity. Through multivariate correlation analysis can be seen that the health center distance, electricity and water users effecting the social disparity. Moreover, the financial, industrial, electricity, trade, construction, transportation, agriculture, and mining sector's productivity have a significant relationship with the economic disparity. Health facilities, water and electricity improvement strategies to be followed for reducing the social disparity. Electricity improvement, water, services sector, transportation infrastructure, and industrial development to reduce the economic disparity