IMP ACT OF BRDB MICRO-CREDIT TOW ARDS UPLIFTING SOCIAL STATUS OF THE BENEFICIARIES

Abstract

The specific objective of the study was to determine the impact ofBRDB micro-credit towards uplifting the social status of the beneficiaries measured by computing change in income, change in food conswnption, change in housing unit, change in drinking water source & toilet condition and change in family asset. Attempts were also made to determine and describe ten selected profiles of BRDB beneficiaries and explore the relationship between these profiles and impact of micro-credit towards uplifting the social status of the beneficiaries. Attempts were also made to identify the problems faced by the beneficiaries in receiving and utilizing micro-credit. The study was conducted at Naikhongchhari upazila under Bandarban district. Out of 2650 group members of 140 groups, l 00 group members of 20 groups were randomly selected which constituted the sample for the study. Data were collected during March 2-31, 2007 using structured interview schedule. Pearson's correlation co-efficient was used to determine the relationships between the dependent and independent variables. Majority (60 percent) of the respondent could change their socio-economic status in medium scale compared to 38 percent of them could change in low scale and 2 percent of them could change in high scale after involvement with BRDB micro­ credit programmes. The education, farm size, organizational participation with BRDB, yearly savings, credit received and attitude towards BRDB micro-credit had positive and significant relationship with the impact of BRDB micro-credit towards uplifting the social status of the beneficiaries while age, family size, credit utilization, credit recovery procedure had not any significant relationship with the impact of micro-credit towards uplifting the social status of the beneficiaries. On the basis of the Problem Faced Index (PFI) 'do not get current credit when any one of them did not repay previous loan' ranked first followed by 'insufficient amount of credit'. 'Misuse of credit for social activities or buying foods' ranked third and 'decisions taken based on nepotism' ranked last.