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Social Networks in Rural Situation: a Case Study in Mymensingh District of Bangladesh

M. A. Rahman
Department of Agricultural Finance, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh.

S. Haque
Department of Agricultural Economics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study based on social networks has identified the socio-economic status of the respondents, their risk management strategies, size and density of the social networks of the actors, and the patterns of relations among social actors in the village Chargobodia of Mymensingh district. A snowball sampling technique was applied and data were collected from 35 respondents from the selected village through field survey using a pre-designed questionnaire, PRA and observation technique. The study indicated that social ties play an important role to manage risk, and the level of income; education and position in the society have great impact on social ties. The strategies used for risk management included communication with family members, neighbours, and friends for getting help, and use of other means such as money lender, NGOs etc. The actors having more ties had a better position in the society to manage any adverse situation. Some actors were in a large network but maintained close interaction with selected few for managing their risk. The group formation mainly depended on close relationship, reciprocity and mutual trust. Based on the findings suggestions have been made for taking sound policies, stronger institutions and better governance as the key tools for more effective poverty reduction and risk management in Bangladesh.

Keywords: Social network, Risk management, Family members, Neighbours, and Friends

Location: Chargobodia of Mymensingh district

Start Date: 00-01-2005

End Date: 00-06-2005

Program Area: Knowledge Management

Non-commodity: Social status

Objectives:

(i) To describe the socio-economic situation of the respondents in the selected area;

(ii) To analyse the risk management strategies of the respondents in the selected area;

(iii) To assess the size and density of the social networks in the selected area;

(iv) To analyse the patterns of relations among social actors in the selected area.

Methodology:

In this study, 35 respondents were selected from the village Chargobodia from Sadar Upazila of Mymensingh on the basis of remoteness and researcher’s familiarity of the area. Snowball sampling procedure was applied for selection of sample respondents and survey research method was used to collect data during January-June, 2005. The interview schedule which contained structured and unstructured questions was consistent with the objectives of the study. The schedule was scientifically formed containing (1) detailed information of the actors’ households; and (2) social networks of the individual actors. The logic of the method is that it treats each individual as a separate “replication” in sense, interchangeable with any other. After the phase of data collection data were checked for accuracy, validity and reliability. The UCINET software was used for networks data analysis. Tabular analysis method was used to describe the socio-economic situation of the respondents. Social network analysis method was used to analyze objective 2. To assess the density of the social networks the authors used number of social ties method. Objective 4 was analysed by Using CONCOR.

Source of Information: The Agriculturists 9(1&2): 73-81(2011) ISSN-1729-5211, A Scientific Journal of Krishi Foundation

Article Link (Online Journal): http://banglajol.info/index.php/AGRIC/article/view/9481/7026

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Poverty in Bangladesh is not only due to lack of income, but also for a lack of access to basic services such as health and education, powerlessness, and exclusion from participation in the development process. Considering the multi-dimensionality of poverty this research work is an attempt towards a new direction and a new paradigm of risk management in rural areas in Bangladesh. The social network analysis explains the fact that human beings belong to larger social units (communities, societies etc.), social networks (social capital) and play a great role to improve individual’s basic capabilities and well-being. Poor people are managing their risk and uncertainties firstly in cooperation with existing social networks. Sound policy, strong political commitment, institutional arrangement conducive-to development environment, better governance can be considered the key tools for poverty reduction in Bangladesh in a more effective way. “Bangladesh has the potential to win its “war on poverty”, but it will take an effective democracy and honest political leader to reach that goal”.

Knowledge Management: Journal